Effects of Liquefaction on

Structures
&
Its Remedial Measures

By
Tushar Ghosh
Final Year
K.I.T.S, Ramtek
Index:

Introduction
 Liquefaction-Related Phenomenon
 Effects of Liquefaction
 Remedial Measures
 Conclusion
 Reference
Index:

Introduction
 Liquefaction-Related Phenomenon
 Effects of Liquefaction
 Remedial Measures
 Conclusion
 Reference
Introduction:
During an Earthquake, large scale
devastation occurs due to failure of
buildings, dams and other structures.
There are various factors resulting to this
failure. In this paper we study one such
Geotechnical factor causing large scale
damages. We study a particular
phenomenon called Liquefaction.
Liquefaction is caused due to
Earthquake.
Introduction:
This phenomenon was very little known until it
drew the attention of Geotechnical Engineers in
1964 when a devastating earthquake occurred in
Alaska followed by Niigata earthquake in Japan
which caused huge scale damages due to
Liquefaction including slope failures, bridge and
building foundation failures.
Liquefaction is a phenomenon by which loose
saturated sand becomes liquid when rapid
loading occurs under undrained conditions.
Index:

Introduction
 Liquefaction-Related Phenomenon
 Effects of Liquefaction
 Remedial Measures
 Conclusion
 Reference
 Liquefaction-Related Phenomenon

During
Solids
Earthquake,
the
saturated
Pore
Wate
sand is
r vibrated as a
result of
it tends to densify. As the particles tend to
this,
come close to each other, the excess pore
water pressure increases and hence effective
stress decreases.
The Mohr-Coulomb strength equation is given by,
τ = c + σ’tanΦ
Where,
τ is the shear strength
c is cohesion
σ’ is effective normal stress
Φ is the angle of internal friction
As the sand is cohesionless, c = 0
But, σ’ = σ – u, where σ is total normal stress that depends on
unit weight and u is pore water pressure.
In case of loose sand, σ itself is very small and since there is a
possibility of the excess pore water pressure developed during
Earthquake being equal the σ, the effective stress σ’becomes
zero. As a result of this the shear strength,
τ = 0 and the sand becomes a liquid.
Index:

Introduction
 Liquefaction-Related Phenomenon
 Effects of Liquefaction
 Remedial Measures
 Conclusion
 Reference
Effects of Liquefaction

The effects of Liquefaction is

divided into 3-parts:
i. Alteration of Ground Motion
ii. Development of Sand Boils
iii. Settlement
i. Alteration of Ground Motion

The development of
positive excess pore water Pile
pressures causes soil
stiffness to decrease Nonliquified
during an Earthquake Liquefied

resulting into large Nonliquified

displacement. These
displacement may affect
the buried structures, Potential Effects of Subsurface
utilities and structures Liquefaction on Pile.
supported on pile
foundations that extend
through liquefied soils.
i. Alteration of Ground Motion

Before Earthquake After Earthquake

Sand Boils
G.L

The surface soils are often

broken into blocks separated
by fissures that can open and
close during the Earthquake.
ii. Development of Sand Boils

Liquefaction is often accompanied by

development of sand boils. During and
following Earthquake shaking, seismically
induced excess pressure are dissipated
predominantly by the upward flow of pore
water. The upward pore water flow
carries the solid particles and ejects at
the ground surface to form sand boils.
iii. Settlement
The tendency of sand to densify when
subjected to earthquake shaking is well
documented. Subsurface densification is
manifested at ground surface in the form of
settlement. This type of settlement causes
distress to structures supported on shallow
foundations and damage to utilities that
support the pile supported structures.
Index:

Introduction
 Liquefaction-Related Phenomenon
 Effects of Liquefaction
 Remedial Measures
 Conclusion
 Reference
Remedial Measures

There are basically three possibilities to

reduce Liquefaction hazards when
designing and constructing new buildings
or other structures as bridges, tunnels and
roads.
These are as follows:
1) Avoid liquefaction susceptible soil
2) Build liquefaction resistant structures
3) Improvement of Soil
Avoid Liquefaction Susceptible
Soils

The criteria by which liquefaction

susceptibility of the soil is judged
include:
1) Historic Criteria
2) Geologic Criteria
3) Compositional Criteria
4) State Criteria
Liquefaction Resistant
Structures:
There are basically two aspects to
construct liquefaction resistant
structure. These are:
1) Shallow foundations aspects
2) Deep foundation aspects
1) Shallow Foundation Aspects

A stiff foundation mat (below) is a good type of

shallow foundation, which can locally transfer
loads from locally liquefied zones to adjacent
stronger ground.
2) Deep Foundation Aspects

Liquefaction can cause large

lateral loads on pile
foundations. Piles driven
through a weak, potentially
liquefiable, soil layer to a
stronger layer not only have
to carry vertical loads from
the superstructure, but must
also be able to resist
horizontal loads and bending
moments induced by lateral
movements if the weak layer
liquefies. Sufficient resistance
can be achieved by using
piles of larger dimensions
and/or more reinforcement.
3) Improvement of Soil

The main goal of most soil improvement

techniques used for reducing liquefaction
hazards is to avoid large increases in pore
water pressure during earthquakes. This
can be achieved in the following ways:
I. Vibrofloatation
II. Dynamic Compaction
III. Compaction Piles
IV. Compaction Grouting
I. Vibrofloatation
Vibrofloatation involves the
use of a vibrating probe
that can penetrate
granular soil to depths of
over 100 feet. The
vibrations of the probe
cause the grain structure
to collapse thereby
densifying the soil
surrounding the probe. To
treat an area of potentially
liquefiable soil, the
vibrofloat is raised and
lowered in a grid pattern.
II. Dynamic Compaction

Densification by dynamic
compaction is performed
by dropping heavy weight
of steel or concrete in a
grid pattern from heights
of 30 to 100 ft. it provides
an economical way of
improving soil for
mitigation of liquefaction
hazards.
III. Compaction Piles

Installing compaction piles is a very

effective way of improving soil.
Compaction piles are usually made of
prestressed concrete or timber.
Installation of compaction piles both
densifies and reinforces the soil. The
piles are generally installed in a grid
pattern and are generally driven to
depth of up to 60ft.
IV. Compaction Grouting

Compaction grouting is a
technique whereby a slow
flowing water/sand/cement
mix is injected under
pressure into granular soil.
The grout forms a bulb
that displaces and hence
densifies the surrounding
soil. It is a good option if
the foundation of an
existing building requires
improvement since it is
possible to inject the grout
from the side or at an
inclined angle to reach
beneath the building.
Index:

Introduction
 Liquefaction-Related Phenomenon
 Effects of Liquefaction
 Remedial Measures
 Conclusion
 Reference
Conclusion:
Thus, alteration of ground motion,
development of sand boils and settlement are the
effects of liquefaction which can be reduced by
avoiding liquefaction susceptible soils, building
liquefaction resistant structures and by
densification of soil.
Liquefaction resistant structure include
shallow and deep foundation aspects while soil
improvement techniques include vibroflotation,
dynamic compaction if soil, installation of
compaction piles, compaction grouting.
Thus in these ways the liquefaction related
hazards can be reduced to a great extent.
Index:

Introduction
 Liquefaction-Related Phenomenon
 Effects of Liquefaction
 Remedial Measures
 Conclusion
 Reference
References:
[1] Kramer S.L, ’Geotechnical Earthquake
Engineering’; Pearson Education (Singapore) Pte.
Ltd., New Delhi
[2]Gopal Ranjan and Rao, A.S.R, ’Basic & Applied
Soil Mechanics’; Willey Eastern Ltd, New Delhi,
1991.
[3]www.ce.washington.edu
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