LIQUEFACTION OF SOILS AND SOME OF IT’S

WIDELY USED PREVENTIONS

Boston, Roel Victor B., Concepcion, Vince Mayson C., Padilla, Genevieve L.
BSCE, College of Engineering and Architecture, University of the Cordilleras,
Baguio City, Philippines 2600

ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT

This is all about one of many critical problems in the field of Geotechnical
AY 2018–2019 | Term 3
engineering. It is the phenomena occurring when there is loss of shear strength in
CE 322-l5
Term End Report soils that are saturated and cohesion-less because of increase in pore water pressures
Date Submitted: July 31, 2019 and hence reduced effective stresses due to a dynamic loading. Typical causes of
these are shocks or strains that abruptly increase the water pressure between soil
Keywords
particles causing the entire mass to behave similarly to a liquid. These and related
geotechnical engineering,
soil liquefaction, mitigation, grouting phenomena have been in charge of colossal measures of damage in historical
techniques earthquakes tremors all over the world. Engineers have made some preventions of
these and continue to research about it. This research paper or study contains some
of the widely used methods to mitigate, compact, inject fluids and grout soils to
prevent liquefaction of soil. Their steps are briefly discussed to how and why they
should be done.

I. INTRODUCTION The effects of liquefaction may include major sliding of

soil toward the body slumping and of water.
Liquefaction is a phenomenon in which the strength Earthquake shaking often triggers an increase in water
and stiffness of a soil is reduced by earthquake shaking or pressure, but construction related activities such as
other rapid loading. Liquefaction and related phenomena blasting and vibratory pile driving.
have been responsible for tremendous amounts of damage Earthquake shaking often triggers an increase in water
in historical earthquakes around the world. pressure, but construction related activities such as
Liquefaction occurs in saturated soils, that is, soils in blasting and vibratory pile driving can also cause an
which the space between individual particles is completely increase in water pressure.
filled with water. This water exerts a pressure on the soil When liquefaction occurs, the strength of the soil
particles that influences how tightly the particles decreases and, the ability of a soil deposit to support
themselves are pressed together. Prior to an earthquake, foundations for buildings and bridges are reduced as seen
the water pressure is relatively low. However, earthquake in the photo of the overturned apartment complex
shaking can cause the water pressure to increase to the buildings in Niigata in 1964.
point where the soil particles can readily move with
respect to each other.
Liquefaction has been observed in earthquakes for
many years. In fact, written records dating back hundreds
and even thousands of years describe earthquake effects
that are now known to be associated with liquefaction.
Nevertheless, liquefaction has been so widespread in a
number of recent earthquakes.
Because liquefaction only occurs in saturated soil, its
effects are most commonly observed in low-lying areas
near bodies of water such as rivers, lakes, bays, and oceans.
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STRENGTHENING WEAK SOIL AGAINST LIQUEFACTION

recognize the conditions that exist in a soil deposit

before an earthquake. A soil deposit consists of an
assemblage of individual soil particles.

If we look closely at these particles, we can see

that each particle is in contact with a number of
neighboring particles. The weight of the overlying soil
particles produce contact forces between the particles
- these forces hold individual particles in place and
give the soil its strength.

We conducted this research paper to expand our

knowledge about how soil becomes liquefied. We
wouldn’t want to be damaged by these natural phenomena,
that’s why engineers make and invents curing, managing
and strengthening soil to prevent them to be at such state.
We also included some methods that are widely used to
achieve stable soil.

II. METHODOLOGY
Figure 1. The forces that are created between the soil
Our aim is to understand how liquefaction occurs and particles during their interaction.
how to prevent it. We have read some journals and other
research paper in order to know more about our study. However, when ground shaking occurs, these
These are papers that are conducted in different countries delicate grain to grain contacts are disturbed and the
on different engineer and architecture departments. soils grains are dislodged.
We collected these different data and studies and
briefly analyzed it. We obtained and source these through This causes a momentary loss of support which
different department’s research programs like the National transfers the vertical stresses to the pore water. The
Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Development pore water in turn further increases in pore pressure
and the 14th World Conference on Earthquake Engineering. thus further buoying up the individual soil grains.
These data were originally produced and discussed by
engineers that teaches at universities and engineers at field. Since water has practically no shear strength,
We selected these researches and information about collapse of the support happens and thus all
techniques on soil mitigation and methods because they superimposed structures and the soil itself slumps due
are widely used and data were carefully analyzed and to gravity.
explained.
We have defined liquefaction and gave principles,
causes and effects of it. We also gave some widely used
methods to manage soils to produce high performance in
founding establishments and infrastructures.

2.1 Principle and Causes of Liquefaction

To understand liquefaction, it is important to
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STRENGTHENING WEAK SOIL AGAINST LIQUEFACTION

tension cracks to form in the soil near the embankment,

or it can collapse altogether, commonly known as
lateral spreading or land sliding. Soils on or near
slopes, hills, or mountains can experience the same
effects.

2.3 Liquefaction Mitigation Methods

A lot of mitigation techniques are currently
available which have been used as ground
improvement methods to improve strength or reduce
deformations. While not covered in this paper, the
Figure 2. The Soil Grain Condition in Unexcited State
methods are enumerated for Brevity as this may not
Much of the previous knowledge of liquefaction at be covered in this Paper.
tributes this phenomenon exclusively to Clean Sands.
However, current State of the art have established that DENSIFICATION METHODS:
even fine grained soils and coarser materials such as • Vibroflotation
Gravels will liquefy given the right conditions and the • Vibro Rod
right earthquake characteristics. • Dynamic Compaction
• Blasting (Camouflet)
• Compaction Grouting
GROUTING TECHNIQUES
• Permeation Grouting
• Intrusion Grouting
• Soil Mixing
• Jet Grouting
DRAINAGE TECHNIQUES
• Stone Columns4
• Rammed Aggregate Piers ®
• Prefabricated Vertical Drains PVD’s
Figure 3. Soil Grain Condition at Fully Saturated Condition

2.4 Different Grouting Techniques

2.2 Effects of Liquefaction
Liquefaction is responsible for extreme property
damage and loss of life due to a several variations of  Compaction Grouting
Compaction grouting is a soil injection with
failure potential. Liquefied ground is no longer stable
low workability cement paste that remains
to withstand the stresses it is subject to from structural
homogeneous without entering in the soil pores.
foundations or even its own weight, leading to a
The cement mass extends, soil is moved and
variety of potential failures.
finally compacted. The liquefaction
improvement using compaction grouting divides
Liquefaction can induce landslides or collapse of
into the following categories:
structures, including horizontal infrastructures. The
damaging effects of liquefied soils are not only visible
(a) Treatment under existing structures;
in the structural chaos left behind. The soil itself can
(b) Treatment in urban areas with low levels of
be weakened and fail due to its own weight. Often,
vibration and noise;
erosion from rivers and streams cuts into the soil along
(c) Treatment in narrow areas.
their banks, leaving behind scoured ground and gullies.
The stresses produced during liquefaction can cause
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14-5350-847 Concepcion
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STRENGTHENING WEAK SOIL AGAINST LIQUEFACTION

The execution of compaction by injection
technology using bottom-up method takes place
as follows. In the first stage, injection pipes set up
on the foundation soil of the existing or future
foundations using drilling machines. The
injection process begins. Mixture injected
through the pipes pushes the surrounding soil;
then the injection pipes raises about 0.3-1.5 m
and the process renews. The “in steps” injection
process continues until the whole thickness of the
soil layer is treated. Injection stabilizes soil layer
by density and pressure increasing. The injection
process is used when a controlled lifting of the
soil surface or existing structures affected by
local settlements are necessary.
injection mixture. In general this method begins
by drilling small-diameter holes (90-150 mm) up
to the final injection depth. Cement mixture is
injected into the soil with a metal rod that runs a
rotational and withdrawal motion whilst. This
technology is useful to underpinnings of existing
foundations, to support excavations in cohesive
less soil, to control the groundwater migration
and to improve the strength of liquefiable soil.
This method is shown in the Figure 4

 Permeation Grouting
Permeation grouting consists of the injection
of low-viscosity fluid in the soil pores without
changes in the soil physical structure. The main
goal of permeation grouting is both to strengthen
Figure 4. Jet Grouting Method
soils through particle cementation (to stabilize the
links between particles) and to waterproof ground
.
by filling its pores with injected fluid.
III. RESULTS & DISCUSSION

This method improves the soil physical and

How can the risk of damage due to soil liquefaction
mechanical characteristics, successfully stabilizes
be reduced?
the excavation walls in soft soils, controls the
There are several ways in which risk and severity of
groundwater migration in order to implement the
damage as a result of soil liquefaction can be reduced.
underpinnings at the existing foundations and
The first and most obvious is, to avoid planning
prevents the effects of earthquakes – compaction
development on liquefaction susceptible soils.
and soil liquefaction. Permeation grouting is a
Besides in-situ testing, vulnerable sites can also be
technology used to mitigate liquefaction that is
identified by researching any prior events at the site.
suitable for un-compacted soils solidification in
Maps showing sites of prior liquefaction can be located
order to reduce the risks of compaction and
from many government and research entities.
liquefaction that may occur as result of possible
earthquakes.

 Jet Grouting
Applications of the jet grouting system fall
into three broad categories: underpinning or
excavation support, stabilization of soft or
liquefiable soils, groundwater or pollution
control. The method consists of soil injection of Figure 5. Example of foundation design that spans over a
a mixed fluid at high pressure forming jets that soft spot.
erode and replace the existing soil with the
15-2744-708 Boston
14-5350-847 Concepcion
14-4678-704 Padilla Engr. Marlowe L. Labusnog
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STRENGTHENING WEAK SOIL AGAINST LIQUEFACTION
If it is necessary to construct on liquefaction
susceptible soils, one can modify the design of a
structure in several ways to make the structure more
resistant damage potential from liquefaction.
structure that incorporates ductility, has supports that
are adjustable to accommodate differential settlement,
possesses the ability to accommodate large
deformations, and has a foundation design that can
span ‘soft’ spots, can all decrease the amount of
damage incurred in the case of a liquefaction event.
In addition to designing a liquefaction-resistant
structure, steps can be taken to improve the soil
conditions and lower the potential for liquefaction
occurrence. A variety of ground modification
techniques are available to change the ground
conditions. Methods that increase soil drainage and
density can lower liquefaction risk. These include:
vibroflotation; vertical wick drains; dynamic
compaction; installation of stone columns, compaction
piles, and compaction grouting; and use of various
drainage improvement techniques are all acceptable
options.
Fig. 6(b). Injection & grouting
IV. CONCLUSION
We discussed different methods that may keep our
soil strong and free from liquefaction. We can’t really
neglect this critical problem because we would want
our project to be successful and free from future
problems like this. Soil is really complicated and
important specimen or material and we need to study
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and briefly analyze it’s behaviors before using and
managing it. Lack of information may cause us to have
hazardous projects and weak structures.
A Probably in the future, we would invent or come
up with new ideas to execute our plans and actions and
help the world of engineering help to the betterment of
the world.
REFERENCES
Proceeding Papers
[1] Rawat, R., Neelam, & Shinghal, A. (2015).
Liquefaction in Soils. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL
ON OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH & SAFETY, FIRE &
ENVIRONMENT – ALLIED SCIENCE, 5(1), 012-016.
[2] Sayehvand, S., & Kalantari, B. (2012). Use of
Grouting Method to Improve Soil Stability Against
Liquefaction—A Review. EJGE, 17(1), 1559-1566.
[3] Mavituna, O., & Teymur B. (2008). Effect of
Improving Soil as a Countermeasure for Liquefaction.
World Conference on Earthquake Engineering.
[4] Kohari, S., & Choudhary, A. (2019). Strengthening of
week soil against liquefaction. National Journal of
Multidisciplinary Research and Development, 4(1),
062-065.
[5] Plescan, C., & Rotaru, A. (2010). Aspects Concerning
the Improvement of Soils Against Liquefaction.
Bulentinul Institutului Politehnic Din Iasi, 56(60),
039-045.
Engr. Marlowe L. Labusnog
[5]