Semi-empirical procedures for evaluating liquefaction potential during earthquakes

Semi-empirical procedures for evaluating the liquefaction potential of saturated cohesionless soils during earthquakes are re-examined and revised relations for use in practice are recommended. The stress reduction factor (r_d), earthquake magnitude scaling factor for cyclic stress ratios (MSF), overburden correction factor for cyclic stress ratios (K_σ), and the overburden normalization factor for penetration resistances (C_N) are discussed and recently modified relations are presented. These modified relations are used in re-evaluations of the SPT and CPT case history databases. Based on these re-evaluations, revised SPT- and CPT-based liquefaction correlations are recommended for use in practice. In addition, shear wave velocity based procedures are briefly discussed.     

基于典型地质特征分析的大同盆地VS30预测研究

土体剪切波速是进行土层地震反应分析的动力学参数，对场地地震动参数确定具有重要意义。基于地质地貌分析，将大同盆地划分为5类典型地质单元。对盆地1429个钻孔剪切波速资料进行分析，探讨V_S30与V_S20的相关性，研究土体埋深、岩性、地质单元、标贯击数及密实度等地质特征对V_S的影响，并基于地质单元、剪切波速比、密实度系数及第四系上部覆盖层厚度相关性分析给出土体V_S30预测模型。研究结果表明，基于典型地质特征的V_S30预测模型拟合优度R2>0.90，预测精度很高，对于离散性较大、直接拟合估算较差及无剪切波速场地来说，以区分地质单元及土体类型的方式进行V_S30分解预测是良好的研究思路。首次在区分地质单元及土体类型的前提下提出剪切波速比及密实度系数，并将其与第四系上部覆盖层厚度综合应用于V_S30预测研究。研究结果可为大同盆地城市防震减灾规划、震害预测、区域性地震安全评价提供重要技术支撑。     

Experimental and conceptual evidence about the limitations of shear wave velocity to predict liquefaction

Based on the liquefaction performance of sites with seismic activity, the normalized shear wave velocity, V_s1, has been proposed as a field parameter for liquefaction prediction. Because shear wave velocity, V_s, can be measured in the field with less effort and difficulty than other field tests, its use by practitioners is highly attractive. However, considering that its measurement is associated with small strain levels, of the order of 10⁻⁴–10⁻³%, V_s reflects the elastic stiffness of a granular material, hence, it is mainly affected by soil type, confining pressure and soil density, but it is insensitive to factors such as overconsolidation and pre-shaking, which have a strong influence on the liquefaction resistance. Therefore, without taking account of the important factors mentioned above, the correlation between shear wave velocity and liquefaction resistance is weak.In this paper, laboratory test results are presented in order to demonstrate the significant way in which OCR (overconsolidation ratio) affects both shear wave velocity and liquefaction resistance. While V_s is insensitive to OCR, the liquefaction resistance increases significantly with OCR. In addition, the experimental results also confirm that V_s correlates linearly with void ratio, regardless of the maximum and minimum void ratios, which means that V_s is unable to give information about the relative density. Therefore, if shear wave velocity is used to predict liquefaction potential, it is recommended that the limitations presented in this paper be taken into account.     

Empirical shear wave velocity equations in terms of characteristic soil indexes

An investigation to systematize empirical equations for the shear wave velocity of soils was made in terms of four characteristic indexes. The adopted indexes are the N-value of the Standard Penetration Test, depth where the soil is situated, geological epoch and soil type. As some of these indexes are variates belonging to interval scales while others belong to nominal or ordinal scales, the technique known as a multivariate analysis cannot be employed. A new approach to the theory of quantification, after C. Hayashi, was introduced and developed for solving this difficulty. Fifteen sets of empirical equations to estimate low strain shear wave velocity theoretically may be obtained by combining the above four indexes. All of these sets were derived by use of about 300 data, and their accuracies were evaluated by means of correlation coefficients between the measured and estimated shear wave velocities. The best equation was found to be the one which included all the indexes, and its correlation coefficient was 0.86. The empirical equation relating the standard penetration N-value to the shear wave velocity provided a correlation of only 0.72, and is one of the lowest ranking among the 15 sets of equations.     

Review of correlations between SPT N and shear modulus: A new correlation applicable to any region

A low strain shear modulus plays a fundamental role in earthquake geotechnical engineering to estimate the ground response parameters for seismic microzonation. A large number of site response studies are being carried out using the standard penetration test (SPT) data, considering the existing correlation between SPT N values and shear modulus. The purpose of this paper is to review the available empirical correlations between shear modulus and SPT N values and to generate a new correlation by combining the new data obtained by the author and the old available data. The review shows that only few authors have used measured density and shear wave velocity to estimate shear modulus, which were related to the SPT N values. Others have assumed a constant density for all the shear wave velocities to estimate the shear modulus. Many authors used the SPT N values of less than 1 and more than 100 to generate the correlation by extrapolation or assumption, but practically these N values have limited applications, as measuring of the SPT N values of less than 1 is not possible and more than 100 is not carried out. Most of the existing correlations were developed based on the studies carried out in Japan, where N values are measured with a hammer energy of 78%, which may not be directly applicable for other regions because of the variation in SPT hammer energy. A new correlation has been generated using the measured values in Japan and in India by eliminating the assumed and extrapolated data. This correlation has higher regression coefficient and lower standard error. Finally modification factors are suggested for other regions, where the hammer energy is different from 78%.     

等吸力三轴剪切试验中非饱和黄土强度变形及水量变化特性

通过饱和原状黄土常规三轴试验和非饱和原状黄土等吸力三轴试验研究吸力和净围压对非饱和黄土强度变形的影响,并用HUANG等、胡冉等和方祥位等提出的土水特征曲线模型分析剪切过程中排水规律。研究结果表明：等吸力下原状土样固结剪切体积变形随净围压增大而增大;等净围压下原状土样固结剪切体积变形量随吸力的增大基本呈减小趋势。p-q平面内饱和土CSL线逐渐超过低吸力下非饱和土CSL线,原因在于随着p值增大,相对于非饱和土,饱和土孔隙比越来越小,较小孔隙比对抗剪强度的贡献逐渐大于非饱和土吸力对抗剪强度的贡献。应用固结稳定的数据拟合出HUANG等和胡冉等提出的模型参数,并预测剪切过程中的排水量,发现剪切速率对排水量有影响,这两种模型适用于剪切速率慢,排水充分的情况,而方祥位等提出的模型对不同剪切速率会拟合出不同的参数。     

Centrifuge modeling of seismic response of layered soft clay

Centrifuge modeling is a valuable tool used to study the response of geotechnical structures to infrequent or extreme events such as earthquakes. A series of centrifuge model tests was conducted at 80g using an electro-hydraulic earthquake simulator mounted on the C-CORE geotechnical centrifuge to study the dynamic response of soft soils and seismic soil–structure interaction (SSI). The acceleration records at different locations within the soil bed and at its surface along with the settlement records at the surface were used to analyze the soft soil seismic response. In addition, the records of acceleration at the surface of a foundation model partially embedded in the soil were used to investigate the seismic SSI. Centrifuge data was used to evaluate the variation of shear modulus and damping ratio with shear strain amplitude and confining pressure, and to assess their effects on site response. Site response analysis using the measured shear wave velocity, estimated modulus reduction and damping ratio as input parameters produced good agreement with the measured site response. A spectral analysis of the results showed that the stiffness of the soil deposits had a significant effect on the characteristics of the input motions and the overall behavior of the structure. The peak surface acceleration measured in the centrifuge was significantly amplified, especially for low amplitude base acceleration. The amplification of the earthquake shaking as well as the frequency of the response spectra decreased with increasing earthquake intensity. The results clearly demonstrate that the layering system has to be considered, and not just the average shear wave velocity, when evaluating the local site effects.     

Intergrain contact density indices for granular mixes I： Framework

Mechanical behavior such as stress-strain response, shear strength, resistance to liquefaction, modulus, and shear wave velocity of granular mixes containing coarse and fine grains is dependent on intergrain contact density of the soil. The global void ratio e is a poor index of contact density for such soils. The contact density depends on void ratio, fine grain content （Cv）, size disparity between particles, and gradation among other factors. A simple analysis of a two-sized particle system with large size disparity is used to develop an understanding of the effects of Cv, e, and gradation of coarse and fine grained soils in the soil mix on intergrain contact density. An equivalent intergranular void ratio （ec）oq is introduced as a useful intergrain contact density for soils at fines content of less than a threshold value Crth. Beyond this value, an equivalent interfine void ratio （ef）eq is introduced as a primary intergrain contact density index. At higher values of Cv beyond a limiting value of fine grains content CVL, an interfine void ratio ef is introduced as the primary contact density index. Relevant equivalent relative density indices （Drc）eq and （Drf）eq are also presented. Experimental data show that these new indices correlate well with steady state strength, liquefaction resistance, and shear wave velocities of sands, silty sands, sandy silts, and gravelly sand mixes.     

饱和黄土场地原位试验及液化势评价

目前,主要依靠室内动力试验对黄土液化势进行评价。由于黄土特殊的结构性,室内试验对其饱和的过程较为复杂,且与实际场地饱和黄土差异明显,导致室内黄土液化试验结果并不能代表现场饱和黄土的抗液化强度。本文选取兰州市西固区寺儿沟村某饱和黄土场地进行钻孔测试,现场实施了标准贯入试验、静力触探试验以及剪切波速测试。应用Robertson的土类指数分类图对该场地不同含水率黄土的土类进行了界定,确定了饱和黄土属于类砂土,有液化势。应用NCEER推荐方法,计算了3组原位试验数据的饱和黄土循环抗力比（CRR）,通过与1976年唐山地震和1999年集集地震液化土CRR对比,得出了饱和黄土抗液化强度很低的结论。     

Evaluation of shear wave velocity profile using SPT based uphole method

The uphole method is a field seismic test which uses receivers on the ground surface and an underground source. A modified form of the uphole method is introduced in order to obtain efficiently the shear wave velocity (V_S) profile of a site. This method is called the standard penetration test (SPT)-uphole method because it uses the impact energy of the split spoon sampler in the SPT test as a source. Since the SPT-uphole method can be performed simultaneously with the SPT test it is economical and not labor intensive compared to the original uphole methods which use small explosives or a mechanical source. Field testing and interpretation procedures for the proposed method are described. To obtain reliable travel time information of the shear wave, the first peak point of the shear wave using two component geophones is recommended. Through a numerical study using the finite element method (FEM), the procedure of the proposed method was verified. Finally, the SPT-uphole method was performed at several sites, and the field applicability of the proposed method was verified by comparing the V_S profiles determined by the SPT-uphole method with the profiles determined by the downhole, the spectral analysis of surfaces waves (SASW) method and from the SPT-N values.     

Correlation of shear wave velocity with liquefaction resistance based on laboratory tests

According to the results of cyclic triaxial tests on Hangzhou sands, a correlation is presented between liquefaction resistance and elastic shear modulus. Material-dependent but independent of confining stress, shows the linear relation of (σ_d/2)^1/2 with G_max. For its application to different soils, a method proposed by Tokimatsu [Tokimatsu K, Uchida A. Correlation between liquefaction resistance and shear wave velocity. Soils Found 1990:30(2):33–42] is utilized to normalize the shear modulus with respect to minimum void ratio. A simplified equation is established to evaluate the liquefaction potential by shear-wave velocity. The critical shear-wave velocity of liquefaction is in linear relation with 1/4 power of depth and the peak horizontal ground surface acceleration during earthquakes. The equation proposed in this paper is compared with previous methods especially the procedure proposed by Andrus [RD Andrus, KH Stokoe. Liquefaction resistance of soils from shear-wave velocity. J Geotech Geoenviron Eng 2000:126(11):1015–25]. The results show its simplicity and effectiveness when applied to sands, but more validation or modification is needed for its application to sand with higher fines content.     

Liquefaction characteristics of gap-graded gravelly soils in K0 condition

A series of undrained cyclic direct simple shear tests, which used a soil container with a membrane reinforced with stack rings to maintain the K₀ condition and integrated bender elements for shear wave velocity measurement, were performed to study the liquefaction characteristics of gap-graded gravelly soils with no fines content. The intergrain state concept was employed to categorize gap-graded sand–gravel mixtures as sand-like, gravel-like, and in-transition soils, which show different liquefaction characteristics. The testing results reveal that a linear relationship exists between the shear wave velocity and the minor fraction content for sand–gravel mixtures at a given skeleton void ratio of the major fraction particles. For gap-graded gravelly sand, the gravel content has a small effect on the liquefaction resistance, and the cyclic resistance ratio (CRR) of gap-graded gravelly sands can be evaluated using current techniques for sands with gravel content corrections. In addition, the results indicate that the current shear wave velocity (V_s) based correlation underestimates the liquefaction resistance for V_s values less than 160 m/s, and different correlations should be proposed for sand-like and gravel-like gravelly soils. Preliminary modifications to the correlations used in current evaluations of liquefaction resistance have thus been proposed.     

Rock-physics-based carbonate pore type characterization and reservoir permeability heterogeneity evaluation, Upper San Andres reservoir, Permian Basin, west Texas

The use of the shear wave velocity data as a field index for evaluating the liquefaction potential of sands is receiving increased attention because both shear wave velocity and liquefaction resistance are similarly influenced by many of the same factors such as void ratio, state of stress, stress history and geologic age. In this paper, the potential of support vector machine (SVM) based classification approach has been used to assess the liquefaction potential from actual shear wave velocity data. In this approach, an approximate implementation of a structural risk minimization (SRM) induction principle is done, which aims at minimizing a bound on the generalization error of a model rather than minimizing only the mean square error over the data set. Here SVM has been used as a classification tool to predict liquefaction potential of a soil based on shear wave velocity. The dataset consists the information of soil characteristics such as effective vertical stress (σ′_v0), soil type, shear wave velocity (V_s) and earthquake parameters such as peak horizontal acceleration (a_max) and earthquake magnitude (M). Out of the available 186 datasets, 130 are considered for training and remaining 56 are used for testing the model. The study indicated that SVM can successfully model the complex relationship between seismic parameters, soil parameters and the liquefaction potential. In the model based on soil characteristics, the input parameters used are σ′_v0, soil type, V_s, a_max and M. In the other model based on shear wave velocity alone uses V_s, a_max and M as input parameters. In this paper, it has been demonstrated that Vs alone can be used to predict the liquefaction potential of a soil using a support vector machine model.     

The estimation of shear-wave statics using in situ measurements in marine near-surface sediments

Shear‐wave statics in marine seismic exploration data are routinely too large to be estimated using conventional techniques. Near‐surface unconsolidated sediments are often characterized by low values of V_s and steep velocity gradients. Minor variations in sediment properties at these depths correspond to variations in the shear‐wave velocity and will produce significant static shifts. It is suggested that a significant proportion of the shear‐wave statics solution can be estimated by performing a separate high‐resolution survey to target near‐surface unconsolidated sediments. Love‐wave, shear‐wave refraction and geotechnical measurements were individually used to form high‐resolution near‐surface shear‐wave velocity models to estimate the shear‐wave statics for a designated survey line. Comparisons with predicted statics revealed that shear‐wave statics could not be estimated using a velocity model predicted by substituting geotechnical measurements into empirical relationships. Empirical relationships represent a vast simplification of the factors that control V_s and are therefore not sufficiently sensitive to estimate shear‐wave statics. Refraction measurements are potentially sensitive to short‐wavelength variations in sediment properties when combined with accurate navigational data. Statics estimated from Love‐wave data are less sensitive, and sometimes smoothed in appearance, since interpreted velocity values represent an average both laterally and vertically over the receiver array and the frequency–depth sensitivity range, respectively. For the survey site, statics estimated from near‐surface irregularities using shear‐wave refraction measurements represent almost half the total statics solution. More often, this proportion will be greater when bedrock relief is less.     

澳门土壤剪切波速的相关性分析

土壤的剪切波速(VS),是抗震设计的一个重要参数,但有关澳门土层的相关资料则十分稀少。研究的主要目的是根据近期野外测试的结果,探讨澳门土层的VS与标准贯入试验的打击锤数(N)的关系,并以简单之幂函数建立VS与N值的关系式。作为澳门轻轨交通系统之勘察计划,研究进行了五组下孔法(DH),地震波圆锥触探试验(S-CPT)以及标准贯入试验(SPT)的测试。根据试验结果所得的关系式估算剪切波速高于较澳门轻轨设计大纲的建议值,而使用另一有关澳门土层的数据库来验证新的关系式,亦可获得合理的决定系数。     

Characterization of liquefaction resistance in gravelly soil: large hammer penetration test and shear wave velocity approach

Gravelly soil is generally recognized to have no liquefaction potential. However, liquefaction cases were reported in central Taiwan in the 1999 Chi-Chi Taiwan earthquake and in the 1988 Armenia earthquake. Thus, further studies on the liquefaction potential of gravelly soil are warranted. Because large particles can impede the penetration of both standard penetration test and cone penetration test, shear wave velocity-based correlations and large hammer penetration tests (LPT) are employed to evaluate the liquefaction resistance of gravelly soils. A liquefied gravelly deposit site during the Chi-Chi earthquake was selected for this research. In situ physical properties of soil deposits were collected from exploratory trenches. Instrumented LPT and shear wave velocity (V_s) measurements were performed to evaluate the liquefaction resistance. In addition, large-scale cyclic triaxial tests on remolded gravelly soil samples (15 cm in diameter, 30 cm in height) were conducted to verify and improve LPT-based and V_s-based correlations. The results show that the LPT and shear wave velocity methods are reasonably suitable for liquefaction assessment of gravelly soils.     

渤海海域黏性土剪切波速与抗剪强度统计关系的初步研究

剪切波速与地基土的抗剪强度、剪切模量和卓越周期等参数密切相关,是地震安全性评价中判定场地类别的一个主要指标和参数。鉴于海域工程中剪切波速往往难以直接由原位测得,而室内实验结果又常常与野外现场物探测试值存在较大差异,因此,如何通过其他途径有效获取满足工程需要的剪切波速参数在海域工程的地震安全性评价等方面具有迫切的实用需求。为此本文通过对渤海海域数十个石油平台项目中一系列饱和黏性土样品的剪切波速与抗剪强度实验数据的统计分析,尝试采用多种可能的函数来拟合确定二者之间的经验关系。结果表明:对于渤海海域黏性土剪切波速V_s与抗剪强度S_u之间的最佳统计经验关系为幂函数V_s=53.751S_u~(0.376)。此关系可为渤海海域工程中通过不排水抗剪强度估算剪切波速提供一种简便可行的实用性方法。     

Cyclic resistance and liquefaction behavior of silt and sandy silt soils

The liquefaction behavior and cyclic resistance ratio (CRR) of reconstituted samples of non-plastic silt and sandy silts with 50% and 75% silt content are examined using constant-volume cyclic and monotonic ring shear tests along with bender element shear wave velocity (V_s) measurements. Liquefaction occurred at excess pore water pressure ratios (r_u) between 0.6 and 0.7 associated with cumulative cyclic shear strains (γ) of 4% to 7%, after which cyclic liquefaction ensued with very large shear strains and excess pore water pressure ratio (r_u>0.8). The cyclic ring shear tests demonstrate that cyclic resistance ratio of silt and sandy silts decreases with increasing void ratio, or with decreasing silt content at a certain void ratio. The results also show good agreement with those from cyclic direct simple shear tests on silts and sandy silts. A unique correlation is developed for estimating CRR of silts and sandy silts (with more than 50% silt content) from stress-normalized shear wave velocity measurements (V_s1) with negligible effect of silt content. The results indicate that the existing CRR–V_s1 correlations would underestimate the liquefaction resistance of silts and sandy silt soils.     

Intergrain contact density indices for granular mixes——Ⅰ: Framework

Mechanical behavior such as stress-strain response, shear strength, resistance to liquefaction, modulus, and shear wave velocity of granular mixes containing coarse and fine grains is dependent on intergrain contact density of the soil. The global void ratio e is a poor index of contact density for such soils. The contact density depends on void ratio, fine grain content (CF), size disparity between particles, and gradation among other factors. A simple analysis of a two-sized particle system with large size disparity is used to develop an understanding of the effects of CF , e, and gradation of coarse and fine grained soils in the soil mix on intergrain contact density. An equivalent intergranular void ratio (ec)eq is introduced as a useful intergrain contact density for soils at fines content of less than a threshold value CFth. Beyond this value, an equivalent interfine void ratio (ef)eq is introduced as a primary intergrain contact density index. At higher values of CF beyond a limiting value of fine grains content CFL, an interfine void ratio ef is introduced as the primary contact density index. Relevant equivalent relative density indices (Drc)eq and (Drf)eq are also presented. Experimental data show that these new indices correlate well with steady state strength, liquefaction resistance, and shear wave velocities of sands, silty sands, sandy silts, and gravelly sand mixes.     

Intergrain contact density indices for granular mixes-Ⅰ: Framework

Mechanical behavior such as stress-strain response, shear strength, resistance to liquefaction, modulus, and shear wave velocity of granular mixes containing coarse and fine grains is dependent on intergrain contact density of the soil. The global void ratio e is a poor index of contact density for such soils. The contact density depends on void ratio, fine grain content (CF), size disparity between particles, and gradation among other factors. A simple analysis of a two-sized particle system with large size disparity is used to develop an understanding of the effects of CF, e, and gradation of coarse and fine grained soils in the soil mix on intergrain contact density. An equivalent intergranular void ratio (ec)eq is introduced as a useful intergrain contact density for soils at fines content of less than a threshold value CFth. Beyond this value, an equivalent interfine void ratio (ef)eq is introduced as a primary intergrain contact density index. At higher values of CF beyond a limiting value of fine grains content CFL, an interfine void ratio ef is introduced as the primary contact density index. Relevant equivalent relative density indices (Drc)eq and (Drf)eq are also presented. Experimental data show that these new indices correlate well with steady state strength, liquefaction resistance, and shear wave velocities of sands, silty sands, sandy silts, and gravelly sand mixes.