CFEM Liquefaction Notes:

18.6.1 Liquefaction Assessment Page 605

 Seismic liquefaction refers to the sudden loss of soil strength of saturated loose soils due to cyclic loading
from earthquakes.
 Liquefaction can occur in granular or low-plasticity silty soils.
 The strength reduction is attributed to an influx of power water pressures, resulting in decreased vertical
effective stress of the soil.
o If the effective stress drops to zero (100% excess pore water pressures), the shear strength and
stiffness also drop to zero, and the soil then behaves as a liquid rather than a solid during the
earthquake.
 Shear strength of soil from liquefaction (remoulded strength) can reduce anywhere from 1-10 times its
static shear strength. The shear stiffness can drop anywhere from 100-1000 times its static shear stiffness.
 Generally, saturated, and loose young granular soils are extremely susceptible to seismic liquefaction.
 Soil liquefaction susceptibility decreases with increased soil density, plasticity, aging, and bonding.
 Consequences of soil liquefaction include:
o Incremental cyclic ground deformation, lateral spreading, and also abrupt bearing capacity failure,
or flow slide failure during/following earthquake shaking.
o Ground settlements are also associated with liquefaction.

CFEM Ground Improvement Notes:

18.6.6.2 Ground Improvement Methods Page 625
 Some Ground Improvement methods for soil liquefaction mitigation include:
o Vibro-compaction
o Deep dynamic compaction
o Rapid impact compaction
o Compaction grouting
o Jet grouting
o Soil mixing
o Compaction piles
o Explosive compaction
o Excavation & replacement