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Title: Effect of hydraulic conductivity and impeded drainage on the liquefaction potential of gravelly soils
Investigating the role of sand and fines content and in situ drainage conditions in governing the hydraulic conductivity of gravelly deposits is highly important to characterize the liquefaction potential of gravelly soil. In this study, a variation of hydraulic conductivity with sand content has been empirically obtained based on the existing gravel liquefaction case histories. It is found that the hydraulic conductivity of a soil matrix with more than 20%–30% sand content by mass is low enough to cause liquefaction without any impervious confining layer. In addition, a numerical study has been performed using the commercial software FEQDrain to study pore pressure generation in gravelly soil at various relative densities and hydraulic conductivities with and without an impermeable cap layer when subjected to various earthquake loadings. For both unconfined and confined condition, excess pore pressure ratios consistently increase with a decrease in hydraulic conductivity ( k) and relative density ( Dr). The excess pore pressure ratio is correlated with hydraulic conductivity, soil compressibility, and cyclic stress ratio (CSR). For the confined condition, pore pressure in the gravel layer is primarily governed by the overlying cap layer and even a sandy cap layer instead of a highly impervious clay layer can cause liquefaction.  more » « less
Award ID(s):
1663546
PAR ID:
10488767
Author(s) / Creator(s):
;
Publisher / Repository:
Canadian Science Publishing
Date Published:
Journal Name:
Canadian Geotechnical Journal
Volume:
59
Issue:
11
ISSN:
0008-3674
Page Range / eLocation ID:
1950 to 1968
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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