Effect of Granular-Column Installation on Excess Pore Pressure Variation during Soil Liquefaction

Abstract

During many earthquakes, soil liquefaction causes dramatic damage. The use of a granular column is a ground-improvement technique used to mitigate soil liquefaction. The present paper studies the performance of reinforcement with granular columns as a method for mitigation of potential risk of liquefaction during cyclic loading. The generation and dissipation of excess pore pressure are analyzed by considering the granular-column installation effect. This effect is described by a decrease in horizontal permeability within a disturbed zone around the column, which is described by constant, linear, and parabolic variations. The evolution of excess pore pressure is studied as a function of the disturbed zone in terms of reduced horizontal permeability. Obtained results show that a granular-column installation has a significant influence on the mitigation of liquefaction.