Evaluation of Soil Liquefaction by Energy Principles

Abstract

Liquefaction has been a source of major damage during severe earthquakes. During the past two decades researchers have attempted to determine the parameters that could better define the liquefaction potential of a soil deposit. The use of the energy concept to define the liquefaction potential is validated through laboratory tests on sand specimens. Numerous tests were conducted at several confining pressures, relative densities, and strain amplitudes using a torsional shear, hollow cylinder device; and the energy per unit volume required for liquefaction was measured. Relationships were developed between the energy per unit volume and the various parameters that were varied during the tests. The dissipated‐energy‐per‐unit‐volume approach is very promising and can accommodate nonuniform loading present in earthquake spectra.