Soil Liquefaction by Torsional Simple Shear Device

Abstract

In this paper the writers explain the unique features of the new torsional simple shear device for soil liquefaction study. This device enables the investigator to subject the soil to uniform shear strains with well-known stress components and boundary conditions. From the experimental results obtained, the writers propose a unique relationship between the stress ratio and the number of cycles to liquefaction. This relationship is independent of the initial values of the ratios between the horizontal and the vertical stress components. Also, the writers propose a rational and analytical procedure for accurately identifying the beginning of initial liquefaction during the experiments.