Spatial Liquefaction Analysis System

Abstract

The spatial component of subsurface engineering data has historically been ignored because of the lack of appropriate analysis tools and techniques to account for this information. The development of powerful computed-based spatial information systems over the past decade has provided the necessary core technology for engineers to develop customized analysis environments for engineering design purposes. This paper describes a prototype spatial liquefaction analysis system that resulted from the integration of several commercial software packages capable of a range of spatial analysis functions with custom geotechnical earthquake engineering analysis software routines. The resulting integrated liquefaction analysis system permits the engineer to focus greater effort during the design phase on optimizing the various elements of the design by incorporating the spatial component of the geotechnical data explicitly in the analysis. The integration of the key components of the spatial liquefaction analysis system is described in the paper. The analytical flexibility provided by an integrated spatial environment is illustrated with sample results from a pilot study.