Abstract
The objective of the present study is to investigate the effects of the physical properties and confining stress on the Sr-P-wave velocity and Sr-liquefaction strength correlations for sandy soils. Based on a series of laboratory tests, following were concluded. (i) The effects of relative density, particle size and shape, pore water property and over consolidation ratio on Sr-P-wave velocity correlation is negligible. (ii) In the range of Sr smaller than 95%, P-wave velocity increases with increasing confining stress. (iii) P-wave velocity increases rapidly when the degree of saturation increases from 90% to 100% regardless of the physical properties of sand and confining stress. (iv) The effects of the confining stress and physical properties of sand on the correlation between the degree of saturation and liquefaction strength are minimal. (v) A decrease of Sr from 100% to 90% brings about 2.2 times increase of liquefaction strength unaffected by the physical properties of sand and confining stress. (vi) A decrease of Vp from about 1600 m/s to 350 m/s brings about 2.2 times increase of liquefaction strength.
