Modified Performance-Based Liquefaction Triggering Procedure Using Liquefaction Loading Parameter Maps

Abstract

Simplified performance-based liquefaction triggering procedures have sought to address observed inconsistencies in predicted liquefaction triggering hazards across the United States resulting from conventional, pseudoprobabilistic analysis procedures. Unfortunately, current simplified performance-based procedures are limited to use with a single liquefaction triggering curve. This paper introduces a modified performance-based procedure and applies it to a different liquefaction triggering curve that is currently used by many engineering practitioners. The modified procedure is derived, and the concept of liquefaction loading parameter maps is introduced. Validation of the modified procedure against the full performance-based procedure is performed for multiple U.S. cities and soil profiles at three different return periods. The results of the validation demonstrate that the modified performance-based procedure reasonably approximates the full performance-based procedure across multiple return periods, though it tends to slightly underpredict the full performance-based results on average. Some discussion regarding the limitations and potential benefits of this modified procedure is provided.