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To cite this article: Ground Improvement Committee (2013) Commentary on the Selection,
Design and Specification of Ground Improvement for Mitigation of Earthquake-Induced
Liquefaction, DFI Journal - The Journal of the Deep Foundations Institute, 7:1, 3-12, DOI:
10.1179/dfi.2013.001
Article views: 67
Download by: [University of Nebraska, Lincoln] Date: 30 May 2016, At: 16:58
Commentary on the Selection, Design and
Specification of Ground Improvement for Mitigation
of Earthquake-Induced Liquefaction
By the Ground Improvement Committee of The Deep Foundations Institute
ABSTRACT
The evaluation of earthquake-induced liquefaction has become a routine part of geotechnical
engineering design. For a given project, if an analysis identifies a potential for liquefaction and the
consequences of liquefaction are deemed unacceptable, then some form of hazard mitigation is
required. Mitigation efforts may consist of removing the liquefiable soils, bypassing the liquefiable
soils with deep foundations, structurally accommodating the deformations or strength loss caused by
liquefaction, or preventing the onset of liquefaction through ground improvement. The fundamental
ground improvement mechanisms for liquefaction mitigation include densification, drainage, and
reinforcement. When evaluating, recommending and specifying various ground improvement methods
Downloaded by [University of Nebraska, Lincoln] at 16:58 30 May 2016
for liquefaction mitigation, practitioners should understand the fundamental mechanics involved
and applicability and limitations of the various methods. The DFI Ground Improvement Committee
offers a review of the fundamental mechanics and commentary on the applicability and limitations
of each method to provide clarity and guidance on the issues related to ground improvement for
liquefaction mitigation.
ϴϬ
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A survey of the available ground improvement ϲϬ
liquefaction mitigation techniques by the ϱϬ
ĚĞŶƐŝĨŝĐĂƚŝŽŶ ŝƐ ĚĞŶƐŝĨŝĐĂƚŝŽŶ ŝƐŶŽƚ
National Research Council (NRC, 1985) ϰϬ
ĂƉƉůŝĐĂďůĞ ĂƉƉůŝĐĂďůĞ
ϮϬ
are usually involved: 1) densification, ϭϬ
following sections:
Densification. For sands below the groundwater [FIG. 1] - Gradation curves that lie to the left of the
table, the resistance to liquefaction is largely transition zone are more easily densifiable. Soil gradation
curves within the transition zone require additional
a function of relative density (Seed and Lee, engineering judgment and test programs.
10.00
is often necessary to evaluate densification Dr = 60%
Dr = 70%
effects. For many projects, it is not feasible 8.00 Dr = 80%
to delay the project in order to confirm the Dr = 90%
Ground treatments with vibratory energy when writing specifications that require
and cavity displacement countermeasures post-treatment verification of densification.
work by remolding and reconstituting the • Because ground improvement methods that
soil structure. Therefore, pre-treatment apply drainage and/or reinforcement are
Ic soil type definitions do not necessarily not amenable to post-treatment verification,
match post treatment Ic calculations (Baez, the analysis used to design these types of
2005). A calibration of this parameter may ground improvement methods must be
need to be taken into account for the proper based on fundamental mechanical principles
interpretation of post treatment CPT results. and empirical observations.
• For soils that cannot be densified and/ • Although post-earthquake observations
or for ground improvement methods that indicate that reinforcement can effectively
cannot be evaluated via post-improvement mitigate the effects of liquefaction,
testing, the efficacy of the program must consensus has not been reached for
be based on construction observation developing a state-of-the-practice design
and the fundamental mechanics and methodology for liquefaction mitigation
empirical observations. The tools available using soil reinforcement. Furthermore,
to researchers and practitioners have recent research indicates that columnar
advanced significantly, but continuing reinforcement is not as effective in reducing
research has illustrated limitations on the soil shear stress as previously believed.
using past practices (such as the lack This is resulting in an inconsistent and
of strain compatibility). Liquefaction potentially unconservative range of designs
mitigation solutions should be based on for this method. Engineers and agencies
sound soil mechanics, particularly when must be conscious of this inconsistency
designing mitigation programs that are not when evaluating reinforcement proposals
field verifiable. and designs and continue to rely on
fundamental mechanics and the most
CONCLUSIONS AND current research findings.
RECOMMENDATIONS The geotechnical engineering community will
This document presented a brief overview be well served by a continued focus on the
of the three mechanisms - densification, mechanics, effectiveness, and limitations of
drainage and reinforcement - currently used for all liquefaction mitigation methods. With each
liquefaction mitigation within the geotechnical new earthquake, the engineering knowledge
construction industry. The summaries provided base expands, and the engineering practice
describe the basic mechanics and potential will evolve.
concerns related to each method. Significant
concerns include the following:
9. Bray, J.D. and Sancio, R.B. (2006). 19. Iai, S., Matsunaga, Y., Morita, T., Miyata, M.,
“Assessment of the liquefaction Sakurai, H., Oishi, H., Ogura, H., Ando, Y.,
susceptibility of fine-grained soils”, Journal Tanaka, Y., and Kato, M. (1994). “Effects of
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5th U.S.-Japan Workshop on Earthquake
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Resistant Design of Lifeline Facilities and
“Guidelines for Evaluating and Mitigating
Countermeasures Against Soil Liquefaction,
Seismic Hazards in California”, Special
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Publication 117, Public Information Offices
of the California Geological Survey.
Art and Practice in Geotechnical Engineering, Engineering. Vol. 11, No. 4. December.
ASCE GSP 255, Oakland, CA, pp. 1918-1927. 48. Yasuda, S., Ishihara, K., Harada, K. and
41. Seed, H.B. and Lee, K.L. (1966) “Liquefaction Shinkawa, N. (1996). “Effect of improvement
of Saturated Sands During Cyclic Loading”, on ground subsidence due to liquefaction”,
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Procedure for Evaluating Soil Liquefaction R.B., Stokoe, K.H., II. (2001) “Liquefaction
Potential”, Journal Soil Mechanics and resistance of soils: Summary report from
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