LIQUEFACTION

Kevin Carr
Stockton University
WHERE CAN LIQUEFACTION
OCCUR? LIQUEFACTION RESISTANT
WHAT IS LIQUEFACTION? Soils most susceptible to STRUCTURES
Liquefaction is the process by which soils lose strength or liquefaction are well sorted,
loosely compacted, highly
Several techniques exist to reduce the likelihood and effects of
stiffness as a result of seismic or other sudden loading, and take saturated sands or silts. These liquefaction. One is to simply avoid building on liquefiable
a liquid-like form. This usually occurs in sandy or silty, water- conditions are common in low soils. If it is necessary to build on liquefiable soils, however,
saturated soils, near rivers, lakes, and beaches (Johansson, 2000). lying areas near bodies of water, other options exist.
Liquefaction can take two forms, static or flow liquefaction around river deltas and beaches. Resistant structures can
which occurs in loose soils and usually results in large Risk for liquefaction is determined be built to mitigate damage
movements, and seismic or cyclic mobility in moderate or by susceptibility, i.e., soil type and when liquefaction does occur.
dense soils, which is generally less dramatic (Burton & Scobie, saturation, and potential for ground Buildings can be placed on
n.d.) shaking. stiff foundation mats, which
help to span small areas of
This map (left) shows the
susceptibility to liquefaction in the liquefiable soils. Pilings can
San Francisco Bay Area. also be driven deep into the earth, through liquefiable soils, into
stronger soil or bedrock below. These must be built not only to
(Knudsen, 2006)
support the vertical load, but also to resist, or move with, lateral
MANIFESTATIONS AND shifts. Gas and water lines should also be built with flexible
EFFECTS OF
Bearing-Capacity Failure
LIQUEFACTION joints, to resist breaking (Johansson, 2000)

Soil bearing buildings, pilings, or other loads, loses SOIL IMPROVEMENT

strength and sinking occurs.
Niigata, Japan, 1964 Soils can be improved to prevent the occurrence of
Magnitude 7.5 earthquake liquefaction. This can be ultimately achieved by compacting the
Apartment buildings tilted soil, by improving the drainage, or both.
HOW DOES IT WORK? and partially sunk.
Vibroflotation
Can be seen in quicksand.
When a shear force is applied to loose, saturated soil, it is (Khaldoun, Fiser, Wegdam, Bonn, 2005)
Vibrating probe inserted into ground
causes soil to collapse and become
compressed, and so the water pressure between particles Lateral Spreading densified.
increases. If sufficient time is allowed, and if the surrounding Soil slides on deeper Can be backfilled with gravel to
soil is permeable enough to allow for drainage, the water is then layer of liquefied soil provide drainage.
driven off. However, if the pressure is applied rapidly enough, Occurs on gentle
the water pressure pushes the particles apart. This breaks the Dynamic Compaction
slopes (Youd, 1973).
friction between particles, known as effective stress, allowing Heavy weight dropped repeatedly to compact soil.
them to move freely around each other. Significant damage to surface occurs.
Can cause failure of levees and
If the soil is already compact, a shear force first wants to embankment structures Compaction Piles
compress the soil. However, particles almost instantaneously Motagua River, Concrete or timber piles installed in grid pattern.
need to shift as they are pushed past each other. This causes a Guatemala, 1976. Densifies and reinforces surrounding soil.
dilation, increasing space between particles, which decreases (Johansson, 2000) Compaction Grouting
the water pressure. This suction effect wants to pull the particles
Cement injected into liquefiable
close together again, increasing the effective stress. The soil is Flow Failure soil.
alternately strengthening and weakening in rapid succession, Large movement of soil Pressure compacts surrounding soil.
and is therefore known as cyclic mobility (Burton & Scobie, down steep slope Good option for existing structures.
n.d.). Mudslides, quick clays. Can be injected at an angle.
Lake Merced, San (Johansson, 2000)
COMPRES Francisco, 1957
(Saundry, 2010)
SION Sand Boils
Other methods include excavation and removal of liquefiable
soils, densification by blasting, permeation grouting, drains, and
Liquefied sand pushed
edge containment structures to prevent lateral spreading
from buried layer to
(Knudsen, 2006).
surface.
Forms sand volcanoes CONCLUSION
(Knudsen, 2006)
REFERENCES Understanding and evaluating the risks associated with
Burton, S., & Scobie, G. (n.d.). Liquefaction Characteristics. Retrieved April 12, 2016, from liquefaction begins with understanding the processes which
http://liquefactionmitigation.weebly.com/liquefaction-characteristics.html
Johansson, J. (2000, January). Soil liquefaction. Retrieved April 12, 2016, from
cause it. By understanding how liquefaction can manifest, and
D I L AT I O N http://www.ce.washington.edu/~liquefaction/html/content.html
Khaldoun, A., Eiser, E., Wegdam, G. H., & Bonn, D. (2005). Liquefaction of Quicksand Under Stress. Nature, 437(7059),
635th ser. Retrieved April 22, 2016.
what areas are susceptible, we can take necessary precautionary
measures to avoid both loss of life and economic disasters. It is
Knudsen, K. (2006, August 18). Liquefaction. Retrieved April 12, 2016, from
http://geomaps.wr.usgs.gov/sfgeo/liquefaction/index.html important to know the risks, so that problem areas can be
Nance, D., & Murphy, B. E. (2015). Physical Geology Today. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
Saundry, P. (2010, July 18). Landslide. Retrieved April 21, 2016, from http://www.eoearth.org/view/article/154157/
avoided when possible, and preventative measures can be taken
where necessary.
RESEARCH POSTER PRESENTATION DESIGN 2015
www.PosterPresentations.com
Youd, T. L. (1973). Liquefaction, Flow, and Associated Ground Failure. Geological Survey Circular, 688th ser., 1-12.
Retrieved April 21, 2016.