Evaluation of Liquefaction Potential Using Field Performance Data

TLDR

The paper reviews the development of a simplified procedure for assessing the liquefaction potential of sand deposits using standard penetration test data. The authors aim to establish criteria for evaluating sand liquefaction potential in magnitude 7‑1/2 earthquakes by compiling field data from multiple countries, reviewing silt effects, and assessing additional in‑situ tests. They analyze field data from known liquefied and non‑liquefied sites, propose a simple silt‑influence procedure, present a method to estimate pore‑water pressure generation in stable sands, and evaluate other in‑situ tests such as static cone penetrometer, shear‑wave velocity, and electrical measurements. The study’s results are extended to other earthquake magnitudes by integrating laboratory and field data.

Abstract

The evolution of a simplified procedure for evaluating the liquefaction potential of sand deposits using data obtained from standard penetration tests is reviewed. Field data for sites which are known to have liquefied or not liquefied during earthquakes in the United States, Japan, China, Guatemala, Argentina, and other countries are presented to establish a criterion for evaluating the liquefaction potential of sands in Magnitude 7‐1/2 earthquakes. The results of this study are then extended to other magnitude earthquakes using a combination of laboratory and field data. Available information on the liquefaction resistance of silty sands is also reviewed and a simple procedure for considering the influence of silt content is proposed. A method is presented for using the field data to evaluate the possible magnitude of pore water pressure generation in sands and silty sands which remain stable during earthquake shaking. Finally, the applicability of other in situ field tests, such as the static cone penetrometer, shear wave velocity, and electrical measurements for evaluating the liquefaction resistance of soils is examined.