Experimental Evaluation of Drainage Pipes as a Mitigation against Liquefaction-Induced Settlement of Structures

Abstract

The earthquakes of 2010 and 2011 in New Zealand and Japan caused significant liquefaction-induced damage in both countries. Unlike previous experiences in which damage to infrastructures was the main concern of people and engineers, vast distortion of private houses caused serious problems for society. The objective of researchers and engineers after these two events was to propose technically-reliable and economically-affordable mitigation measures to people. This paper examines the efficiency and performance of installing various configurations of drains, and their combination with sheet-pile walls in different groundwater levels. The results revealed that unless there is perfect nonliquefied ground under a building’s foundation, settlement of the structure cannot be reduced significantly. In this regard, preventing liquefaction in shallower depths has crucial importance. It also was found that using sheet-pile walls equipped with drains enhanced individual performance of both drains and sheet-piles.