SPECIAL FOUNDATIONS

SOIL LIQUEFACTION -Presentation-

Student: LAZAR Gheorghe Group 3409

Liquefaction is a process in which the seismic shear waves cause an increase in the pore water pressure in a cohesionless soil stratum. This increase in pore pressure reduces the effective stress confining the soil. This reduction causes a reduction of shear modulus of the soil, which in turn, results in increased soil deformation.

Key Elements of Soil Liquefaction Engineering

Ground failures associated to liquefaction

1. Loss of bearing strength the ground can liquefy and lose its ability to support structures.

Fig. 1. Niigata Japan These tilted buildings and liquefaction in this area are probably the most well known examples of liquefaction and loss of bearing strength

2. Lateral spreading - the ground can slide down very gentle slopes or toward stream banks riding on a buried liquefied layer.

Fig.2. Lateral-spreading induced failure of a dike in Nantou

Fig.3. Lateral spreading and settlement of a concrete dike

3. Sand boils - sand-laden water can be ejected from a buried liquefied layer and erupt at the surface to form sand volcanoes; the surrounding ground often fractures and settles.

Fig.4. Large scale sand boiling in Zhangbin Industrial Park, Zhanghua

Fig.5. Widespread sand boiling in Zhangbin Industrial Park

4. Flow failures earth moves down steep slope with large displacement and much internal disruption of material. 5. Ground oscillation the surface layer, riding on a buried liquefied layer, is thrown back and forth by the shaking and can be severely deformed. 6. Flotation light structures that are buried in the ground (like pipelines, sewers and nearly empty fuel tanks) can float to the surface when they are surrounded by liquefied soil.

7. Settlement -when liquefied ground re-consolidates following an earthquake, the ground surface may settle or subside as shaking decreases and the underlying liquefied soil becomes more dense.

Settlement on a street of Nantou City

Tilting of a resident building in Wufeng

Ground improvement and structural solutions that are available to reduce hazard from liquefaction. General Category Mitigation Methods a. I. Excavation and/or compaction b. c. a. Excavation and disposal of liquefiable soils Excavation and recompaction Compaction (for new fill) Compaction with vibratory probes (e.g.: Vibroflotation, Terraprobe, etc.) Dynamic consolidation (Heavy tamping) Compaction piles Deep densification by blasting Compaction grouting Permeation grouting Jet grouting Deep mixing Drains Notes

b. II. In-situ ground densification c. d. e. a. b. c. d. III. Selected other types of ground treatment

Can be coupled with installation of gravel columns Can also provide reinforcement

Gravel drains Sand drains Pre-fabricated strip drains

o o o
e. f.

Many drain installation processes also provide in-situ densification.

Surcharge pre-loading Structural fills Structures and/or earth structures built to provide edge containment and thus to prevent large lateral spreading. Piles (installed by driving or vibration) Piers (installed by drilling or excavation) Grade beams Reinforced mat Well-reinforced and/or post-tensioned mat "Rigid" raft

IV. Berms, dikes, sea walls, and other edge containment structure/systems
V. Deep foundations

a.

a. b. a. b. VI. Reinforced shallow foundations c. d.

Can also provide ground densification

REFERENCES:
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iii. iv.

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Liquefaction, Flow, and Associated Ground Failure T. Leslie Youd , United States Department of the Interior Recent advances in soil liquefaction engineering: A unified and consistent framework R.B. Seed, K.O. Cetin, R.E.S. Moss, A.M. Kammerer, J. Wu, J. M. Pestana, M. F. Riemer, R.B. Sancio, J.D. Bray, R. E. Kayen, and A. Faris, 26th Annual ASCE Los Angeles Geotechnical Spring Semina, April 30, 2003 http://geomaps.wr.usgs.gov/sfgeo/liquefaction/ Seismic Design Criteria for soil liquefaction J.M. Ferritto, NAVAL FACILITIES ENGINEERING SERVICE CENTER June 1997 Characteristics of liquefied sands during MinoOwari, Tohnankai and Fukui Earthquakes Hideaki Kishida