RESISTANCE OF SOIL TO LIQUEFACTION AND SETTLEMENT

Abstract

This paper presents a quantitative method of organizing field observations concerning liquefaction and non-liquefaction during actual earthquakes. The ratio τ_c/σ^^-_V is evaluated for 13 sites affected by 8 earthquakes and plotted against relative density (τ_c is the average peak dynamic stress during the earthquake, and σ^^-_V is the vertical effective overburden stress, both evaluated at the critical depth). The effect of the duration of shaking is considered by means of a correction to τ_c/σ^^-_V. For recent fluvial deposits and uncompacted hydraulic fills, the critical level of τ_c/σ^^-_V for fine sands is about 0.15. This result is in reasonable agreement with results from laboratory investigation. More evidence is required concerning coarser and denser granular deposits.