Evaluation of CPT-based Liquefaction Procedures at Regional Scale

The liquefaction database describing the response of the Christchurch area in the 2010–2011 Canterbury Earthquake Sequence (CES) provides a unique basis for evaluating the regional application of various liquefaction analysis procedures, from liquefaction triggering analyses through to liquefaction vulnerability parameters. This database was used to compare the Robertson and Wride [17], Moss et al. [15] and Idriss and Boulanger [7] liquefaction triggering procedures as well as evaluate the impact of the 2014 versus 2008 Cone Penetration Test (CPT)-based liquefaction triggering procedure by Idriss and Boulanger on four liquefaction vulnerability parameters (S_V1D, LPI, LPI_ISH and LSN), the correlation of those parameters with observed liquefaction-induced damage patterns in the CES, and the mapping of expected damage levels for 25, 100 and 500 year return period ground motions in Christchurch. The effects on S_V1D, LPI, LPI_ISH and LSN were small relative to other sources of variability for the majority of the affected areas, particularly where liquefaction was clearly severe or clearly not. Nonetheless, considering the separation of the land damage populations as well as consistency between the events, the the IB-2008 liquefaction triggering procedures appears to give a slightly better fit to the mapped liquefaction-induced land damage for the regional prediction of liquefaction vulnerability for the Christchurch soils. The Boulanger and Idriss [1] triggering procedure produces improved agreement between the liquefaction vulnerability parameters and observations of damage for: areas south of the Central Business District (CBD) where there tends to be higher soil Fines Content (FC), and localized areas that experienced liquefaction during the smaller Magnitude (M) earthquake events. Implementation of the 2014 liquefaction triggering procedure for mapping of expected liquefaction-induced damage at 25, 100 and 500 year return period ground motions is shown to require use of representative Peak Ground Acceleration (PGA)-M values consistent with the de-aggregation of the seismic hazard. Use of equivalent magnitude-scaled PGA-M7.5 pairs, where the equivalency relates to previously published MSF relationships, with the 2014 liquefaction triggering procedure is shown to be unconservative for certain situations.     

Estimating severity of liquefaction-induced damage near foundation

An empirical procedure for estimating the severity of liquefaction-induced ground damage at or near foundations of existing buildings is established. The procedure is based on an examination of 30 case histories from recent earthquakes. The data for these case histories consist of observations of the damage that resulted from liquefaction, and the subsurface soil conditions as revealed by cone penetration tests. These field observations are used to classify these cases into one of three damaging effect categories, ‘no damage’, ‘minor to moderate damage’, and ‘major damage’. The potential for liquefaction-induced ground failure at each site is calculated and expressed as the probability of ground failure. The relationship between the probability of ground failure and the damage class is established, which allows for the evaluation of the severity of liquefaction-induced ground damage at or near foundations. The procedure presented herein represents a significant attempt to address the issue of liquefaction effect. Caution must be exercised, however, when using the proposed model and procedure for estimating liquefaction damage severity, because they are developed based on limited number of case histories.     

近岸水平场地液化侧向大变形机理及软化模量分析方法

本文依据震害现象和实验探讨近岸水平场地地面液化侧向大变形机理，改进现有软化模量分析技术，给出一套地面液化侧向大变形的分析方法。近岸水平场地侧向大变形机理因地基中孔隙水压力升高、土体模量衰减、土骨架变软使偏应变得到充分发展所致，其水平永久侧移可用从底部到顶部呈增加形式的整体变形描述。利用本文方法，对1995年阪神地震中近岸沉箱岸壁和土体液化侧向大变形进行了数值模拟，结果与震后实测结果和试验结果在主要特征上一致，说明改进的软化模量法可以用于地面液化侧向大变形的分析。     

Liquefaction countermeasures by shallow ground improvement for houses and their cost analysis

A large number of houses suffered from liquefaction-induced damages in recent large earthquakes due to lack of economical countermeasures. In this study, the shallow ground improvement, up to several meters deep, was proposed as an economical liquefaction countermeasure for houses. Based on the case studies, the design criteria of allowable tilt angles and penetration settlements of houses were proposed for the required level of serviceability against moderate and large earthquakes. The results of questionnaire survey, airborne LiDAR survey and centrifuge model tests demonstrated that even a few meters of non-liquefiable layers in shallow ground could greatly reduce settlements and tilting of houses. A series of numerical analyses indicated that non-liquefiable layer of three meters thick below ground water table improved by solidification methods can prevent significant damages of houses. Furthermore, cost analyses were carried out for different ground improvement methods for both new and existing houses.     

Liquefaction-induced deformation of earthen embankments on non-homogeneous soil deposits under sequential ground motions

Damage of embankments during earthquakes is widely attributed to the liquefaction of foundation soil. Previous studies have investigated the dynamic response of embankments by mainly considering uniform sand foundation and a single earthquake event. However, the foundation of an embankment consists of many sublayers of soil from liquefiable sand to relatively impermeable layer, and during earthquakes a mainshock may trigger numerous aftershocks within a short time which may have the potential to cause additional damage to soil structures. Accordingly, the investigation of liquefaction-induced deformation of earthen embankments on various liquefiable foundation conditions under mainshock–aftershock sequential ground motions is carried out by a series of dynamic centrifuge tests in this study. The liquefiable foundation includes uniform sand profile, continuous layered soil profile, and non-homogeneous soil profiles. Effects of various foundation conditions on embankment deformations are compared and analyzed. From the test results, it is found that the embankment resting on non-homogeneous soil deposits suffer more damage compared to the uniform sand foundation of same relative density. The test results also suggest that the sequential ground motions have a significant effect on the accumulated deformation of embankment.     

北部湾软土吹填场地不同地下水位动力响应研究

为了探究不同地下水位的场地条件下对吹砂填海场地动力响应的影响,以广西北部湾吹砂填海场地为研究对象,基于FLAC3D软件结合前期室内试验结果建立了场地模型,进行了数值模拟分析。在此研究中着重分析地下水位的变化对场地加速度放大系数、加速度反应谱和地震液化效应的影响,为减轻吹砂填海建设场地的震害程度提供参考依据。结果表明:随着地下水位埋深的增加,地表加速度放大系数呈现出逐渐减小的趋势,地震放大作用主要集中在短周期,卓越周期也在短周期处取得;随着地下水位埋深的减小,地震波高频成分被过滤,低频成分被放大,场地特征周期与卓越周期均有增大趋势;地下水位变化对吹填沙土层液化的产生和发展具有显著的影响,随着地下水位的上升,砂土表现出更强的液化效应,并且液化现象随着地震峰值加速度的增大逐渐沿土层深部发展。     

砂土液化引起大位移对地下管道影响的非线性分析

地下管线是生命线工程的主要部分,已经成为现代工农业生产和城镇生活的大动脉。已有震害调查表明,饱和砂土液化引起的地基大变形(侧向变形和沉降)是导致强震区生命线工程震害的主要原因。采用三维非线性有限差分分析方法来研究砂土液化引起的大位移对地下管道的破坏特征,分析砂土液化的斜坡变形特征、孔隙水的演化过程。结果表明,砂土液化引起的大位移对地下管道有破坏作用,导致管道变形规律与其斜坡的位移规律相同,地下管线的变形随着振动频率和幅值的增加其非线性增大。     

地震诱发石碑塬黄土地层液化滑移距离研究

为研究1920年海原地震中石碑塬地区液化滑移灾害的形成机制、滑移特征及滑移距离，对石碑塬液化滑移区进行钻孔勘探、取样以及探槽开挖。分别对钻孔及所取试样进行剪切波速测试及颗粒分析、室内动三轴试验，得出石碑塬液化滑移区地层分布情况、震时液化土体层位以及不同地震烈度条件下砂质黄土层的液化情况。综合分析钻孔勘探、颗粒分析、动三轴试验结果，揭示出海原地震中石碑塬黄土地层液化滑移灾害的形成机制：砂质黄土层液化后在自重应力以及地震力的共同作用下"托浮"第一古土壤层以及上部"粉尘化"的非饱和黄土层沿缓斜坡运动，并利用液化滑移地层滑距公式对滑移距离进行估算，得到结果为223.35 m，与实际情况较为相符。研究结果可为黄土地层液化滑移灾害的预防提供一定的借鉴意义。     

Remediation of piled foundations against lateral spreading by passive site stabilization technique

Physical modeling tests were conducted on pile foundations to measure the seismic performance of a new ground improvement technology, called passive site stabilization, for use on sites susceptible to liquefaction and liquefaction-induced lateral spreading. The method involves the slow injection of a low-viscosity stabilizer in conjunction with the natural groundwater flow. The effectiveness of the treatment using dilute colloidal silica as the stabilizer was tested by two centrifuge models that simulated soil–pile interaction of a 2×2 end-bearing pile group embedded in a multilayer soil deposit of 10-m thickness. The models utilized a laminar box and involved gently inclined soil profiles with and without the applied soil improvement. Response of the pile groups and the lateral spreading behaviors of the treated and untreated soil under a simulated base shaking were investigated and compared. The results showed that treatment with dilute colloidal silica stabilizer minimized permanent lateral deformations and reduced the liquefaction potential of the soil. Significant reductions occurred in the measured pile bending moments and axial forces because the layer treated with dilute colloidal silica did not liquefy. Thus, the technique can be an alternative to traditional methods of ground improvement.     

Modelling liquefaction-induced building damage in earthquake loss estimation

The assessment of building damage caused by liquefaction-induced ground deformations requires the definition of building capacity and vulnerability as a function of the demand, as well as damage scales to describe the state of the damaged building. This paper presents a framework for resolving these issues within the context of earthquake loss estimations, where large variations in building stock and ground conditions must be considered. The principal modes of building response to both uniform and differential ground movements are discussed and the uncertainties in their evaluation are highlighted. A unified damage scale is proposed for use in both reconnaissance and assessment of all modes of building damage, including ‘rigid body’ response of structures on stiff foundations to uniform or differential ground movements. The interaction of ground shaking and liquefaction in the context of induced structural damage is also briefly considered. The paper raises important aspects of earthquake loss estimations in regions of liquefaction potential, which remain relatively poorly defined at present.     

Simplified dynamic analysis to evaluate liquefaction-induced lateral deformation of earth slopes: a computational fluid dynamics approach

Lateral deformation of liquefiable soil is a cause of much damage during earthquakes, reportedly more than other forms of liquefaction-induced ground failures. Researchers have presented studies in which the liquefied soil is considered as viscous fluid. In this manner, the liquefied soil behaves as non-Newtonian fluid, whose viscosity decreases as the shear strain rate increases. The current study incorporates computational fluid dynamics to propose a simplified dynamic analysis for the liquefaction-induced lateral deformation of earth slopes. The numerical procedure involves a quasi-linear elastic model for small to moderate strains and a Bingham fluid model for large strain states during liquefaction. An iterative procedure is considered to estimate the strain-compatible shear stiffness of soil. The post-liquefaction residual strength of soil is considered as the initial Bingham viscosity. Performance of the numerical procedure is examined by using the results of centrifuge model and shaking table tests together with some field observations of lateral ground deformation. The results demonstrate that the proposed procedure predicts the time history of lateral ground deformation with a reasonable degree of precision.     

地震液化区桥台滑坡数值模拟

桥台在桥梁系统中占据重要位置,桥台的稳定性直接影响到桥梁的抗震性能。在国内外大量震害中发现大量由桥台破坏引起的桥梁损坏,而且这些破坏常常伴随着由于液化引起的地面大变形。为研究液化场地中桥台滑坡机理,采用完全耦合的有效应力分析方法,利用修正的PasterZienkiewicz Mark-Ⅲ模型来模拟砂土在地震荷载作用下的液化特性。研究台顶梁重和液化层位置对桥台位移的影响,并分析夯实作用对砂土液化的影响。结果表明:模拟得出结果与振动台试验结果基本一致,而且简单的夯实不能降低砂土液化的风险。     

GEOLOGICAL HAZARD CHARACTERISTICS AND MACROSCOPIC EPICENTER OF NOVEMBER 25, 2016, ARKETAO,XINJIANG, MW6.6 EARTHQUAKE

The M_W6.6 Arketao earthquake occurred on November 25, 2016 in Muji Basin of the Kongur extensional system in the eastern Pamir. The region is the Pamir tectonic knot, one of the two structural knots where the India plate collides with the Eurasian plate. This region is one of the most active areas in mainland China. The seismogenic structure of the earthquake is preliminarily determined as the Muji dextral-slip fault which locates in the north of Kongur extensional system. Based on field surveys of seismic geological hazard, and combined with the characteristics of high altitude area and the focal mechanism solution, this paper summarizes the associated distribution and development characteristics of sandy soil liquefaction, ground fissures, collapse, and landslide. There are 2 macroscopic epicenters of the earthquake, that is, Weirima village and Bulake village. There are a lot of geological hazards distributed in the macroscopic epicenters. Sand liquefaction is mainly distributed in the south of Kalaarte River, and area of sand liquefaction is 1 000m². The liquefaction material gushed along the mouth of springs and ground fissures, because of the frozen soil below the surface. More than 60% of soil liquefactions are formed in the mouth of springs. According to the trenching, these liquefactions occurred in 1.8 meters underground in the gray green silty clay and silty sand layers. The ground fissures are mainly caused by brittle failure, and the deformation of upper frozen soil layer is caused by the deformation of lower soil layer. The ground fissures at Weirima village are distributed in a chessboard-like pattern in the flood plain of Kalaarte River. In the Bulake village, the main movement features of the ground fissure are tension and sinistral slip, and the directions of ground fissures are 90°~135°. The collapse and landslide are one of the important geological disasters in the disaster area. The rolling stones falling in landslide blocked the roads and smashed the wire rods, and the biggest rolling stone is 4 meters in length. We only found a small landslide in the earthquake area, but there are a large number of unstable slopes and potential landslides in the surroundings. The ground fissures associated with sand liquefaction are an important cause of serious damage to the buildings.     

Micro-scale modeling of saturated sandy soil behavior subjected to cyclic loading

Liquefaction induced damage to the built environment is one of the major causes of damage in an earthquake. Since Niigata earthquake in 1964, it has been popularly recognized that the liquefaction induced ground failures caused severe damage in various forms such as sand boiling, ground settlement, lateral spreading, landslide, etc. Since then, understanding the mechanism of liquefaction phenomena became very important to take measures against the liquefaction induced ground failures. To understand the mechanism of liquefaction, it is important to consider the soil as an assemblage of particles. A continuum approach may fail to explain some of the phenomena associated with liquefaction. Discrete approach, such as distinct/discrete element method (DEM), is an effective method that can simulate the mechanism of liquefaction and associated phenomena well at the microscopic level.     

Mitigation measures for pile groups behind quay walls subjected to lateral flow of liquefied soil: Shake table model tests

This paper presents experimental results of a series of 1g shake table tests on mitigation measures for a model consisting of a 3×3 pile group and a sheet-pile quay wall in which the pile group was subjected to liquefaction-induced lateral spreading. First, general observations associated with the mechanism of lateral spreading and pile response are presented based on tests without remedial measures, followed by in depth discussions. Second, three remedial techniques were deployed to provide an adequate seismic performance of the pile group and the quay wall: (i) mitigating sheet pile of floating type, (ii) mitigating sheet pile of fixed end type, and (iii) anchoring the quay wall to a new pile row. The main objective of these mitigation methods was to restrict ground distortion behind the quay wall, enhancing seismic response of pile group and quay wall. This mitigation philosophy was decided based on the outcome of the first part, which consisted of a series of tests without mitigation measures. In addition, it should be noted that the proposed countermeasures were selected to be applicable for existing vulnerable pile groups, which are at risk of liquefaction and lateral spreading. Results of different mitigation tests are comparatively examined using a parameter called reduction factor, and the effectiveness of each countermeasure is discussed in detail. The results demonstrate that by applying the proposed mitigation measures the seismic performance of both pile group and quay wall can be improved, as a result of reduction in soil displacement and velocity of soil flow.     

Assessment of liquefaction-inducing peak ground velocity and frequency of horizontal ground shaking at onset of phenomenon

It is recognized that soil improvement techniques are not economically feasible for mitigation of liquefaction-induced lifeline damages because of the large areas served. Instead, it is more practical to execute an emergency action immediately after an earthquake in order to prevent or minimize possible lifeline failures caused by the soil liquefaction. Essential element in the implementation of such a plan is the real-time identification of liquefied sites, which can be successfully achieved by analyzing surface strong motion records. In this paper, the thresholds of two ground motion parameters—the peak surface velocity and horizontal shaking frequency of the ground—that are associated with the soil liquefaction are assessed utilizing the theory of one-dimensional wave propagation in linearly elastic medium. Obtained simple expressions for both parameters are used to estimate their ranges and are examined against several case histories. Minimum level of peak ground velocity (PGV) is verified by experimental data from shaking-table test. Linear relationships between amplitude ground motion parameters at liquefied-soil sites are also developed. Results suggest that liquefaction is likely to take place when PGV exceeds 0.10 m/s and that the upper bound of horizontal ground vibration frequency after liquefaction occurrence is 1.3–2.3 Hz.     

可液化倾斜场地中桩基动力响应振动台试验研究

为研究倾斜场地中桩基的动力响应,以2011年新西兰地震中受损的Dallington桥为原型,设计并完成可液化倾斜场地桥梁桩-土相互作用的振动台模型试验。试验再现了喷砂、冒水、地裂缝、场地流滑等宏观现象。试验结果表明,土层足够的液化势及惯性是造成倾斜场地侧向流滑的必要条件;浅层土相比深层土更易液化,液化层中的加速度由下至上呈现逐渐衰减的趋势,而未液化砂土层却表现为逐渐增大的特征;深部测点的桩侧土压力明显大于浅部测点,且土体的液化会弱化土对结构的压力;结构应变最大值位于上部桥台,而结构弯矩在桩身中部及土层分界面附近出现两个较大值,桩端嵌固及倾斜场地流滑是造成出现两个弯矩较大值的主要原因。     

某长江大桥深度超过15米的砂土层液化势的综合评价

不同抗震设计规范的砂土液化判别方法或国内外其他有代表性的液化判别方法所采用的地震动参数和土性指标及其埋藏条件是不同的,因而采用这些方法对同一工程场地进行液化势预测时其评价结果通常有一些差异,甚至会得到相反的结论。为了给重大工程建设提供较为合理、可信的地基液化势预测结果,采用多种液化判别方法进行场地液化势的综合评价是比较客观的,也是必要的。本文结合某长江大桥桥基工程,采用建筑抗震设计规范的砂土液化判别方法、国内外有代表性的液化判别方法、有限元数值分析法等多种方法逐一对该工程场地砂性土层进行液化判别,并结合室内动三轴液化试验结果,对主桥墩不考虑冲刷条件和考虑一般冲刷深度5m条件时的砂性土层进行了液化势的综合评价,并将各土层的液化势分为液化、可能液化和不液化3个等级,得到了较为合理可靠的判别结果。     

Shear wave velocity-based liquefaction evaluation in the great Wenchuan earthquake： a preliminary case study

The great Wenchuan earthquake (Ms = 8.0) in 2008 caused severe damage in the western part of the Chengdu Plain. Soil liquefaction was one of the major causes of damage in the plain areas, and proper evaluation of liquefaction potential is important in the definition of the seismic hazard facing a given region and post-earthquake reconstruction. In this paper, a simplified procedure is proposed for liquefaction assessment of sandy deposits using shear wave velocity (Vs), and soil liquefaction from the Banqiao School site was preliminarily investigated after the earthquake. Boreholes were made at the site and shear wave velocities were measured both by SASW and down-hole methods. Based on the in-situ soil information and Vs profiles, the liquefaction potential of this site was evaluated. The results are reasonably consistent with the actual field behavior observed after the earthquake, indicating that the proposed procedure is effective. The possible effects of gravel and fines contents on liquefaction of sandy soils were also briefly discussed.     

Distribution and characteristics of gravelly soil liquefaction in the Wenchuan <Emphasis Type="Italic">M</Emphasis><Subscript>s</Subscript> 8.0 earthquake

In this paper,a distribution map of gravelly soil liquefaction that was caused by the Wenchuan M_s 8.0 earthquake in China is proposed based on a detailed field investigation and an analysis of geological soil profiles. The geological background of the earthquake disaster region is summarized by compiling geological cross sections and borehole logs. Meanwhile,four typical liquefied sites were selected to conduct sample drillings,dynamic penetration tests (DPT),and shear wave velocity tests,to understand the features of liquefied gravelly soil. One hundred and eighteen (118) liquefied sites were investigated shortly after the earthquake. The field investigation showed:(1) sandboils and waterspouts occurred extensively,involving thousands of miles of farmland,120 villages,eight schools and five factories,which caused damage to some rural houses,schools,manufacturing facilities and wells,etc.; (2) the Chengdu plain is covered by a gravelly soil layer with a thickness of 0 m to 541 m according to the geological cross sections; (3) there were 80 gravelly soil liquefied sites in the Chengdu plain,shaped as five belt areas that varied from 20 km to 40 km in length,and about ten gravelly soil liquefied sites distributed within Mianyang area; and (4) the grain sizes of the sampled soil were relative larger than the ejected soil on the ground,thus the type of liquefied soil cannot be determined by the ejected soil. The gravelly soil liquefied sites are helpful in enriching the global database of gravelly soil liquefaction and developing a corresponding evaluation method in further research efforts.