Journal Article

Influence of Ground Slope and Relative Density on Liquefaction-Induced Lateral Spreading: A Physical Modeling

Zarei, Amirreza, AliPanahi, Pouya, Hasani Motlagh, Amin, Hajialilue Bonab, Masoud

2024

Overview

Liquefaction-induced lateral spreading poses a significant threat to buried structures during earthquakes occurring on gentle slopes. This study investigates the influence of ground slope and soil relative density on liquefaction-induced lateral spreading using shaking table experiments. Two physical models with varying ground slopes (2%, 5%, and 8%) and soil relative densities (20%, 40%, 60%, and 80%) were constructed, and seven tests were conducted using a rigid box configuration with Plexiglas sides for visual observation and image processing. Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) was employed to analyze soil layer deformations. The findings indicate that higher soil relative density leads to increased soil stiffness and acceleration amplitudes across all soil layers, while steeper slopes induce higher acceleration spikes before liquefaction. Moreover, an increase in soil relative density significantly reduces excess pore water pressure (EPWP) buildup, thereby mitigating lateral spreading. Conversely, variations in gentle ground slope shows a minimal impact on EPWP. The PIV analysis indicates that the maximum horizontal displacements occur in the middle layer for 20% relative density, gradually shifting towards the upper third with increasing density. The study observed two displacement phases: localized shear rupture, which were uniform across densities, and lateral spreading, which were dominant at 20% and 40% densities. Higher soil density leads to reduced lateral movement and settlement. The ground slope causes a minor increase in localized lateral movement but has minimal impact on overall settlement.

• Publisher: Springer International Publishing,Springer Nature B.V
• Subject: Buried structures / Civil Engineering / Density / Earth and Environmental Science / Earth Sciences / Earthquakes / Geotechnical Engineering & Applied Earth Sciences / Hydrogeology / Hydrostatic pressure / Image processing / Impact analysis / Information processing / Lateral displacement / Liquefaction / Original Paper / Particle image velocimetry / Pore pressure / Pore water / Pore water pressure / Relative density / Seismic activity / Seismic response / Shake table tests / Slopes / Soil / Soil analysis / Soil density / Soil investigations / Soil layers / Soil settlement / Soil water movement / Soils / Specific gravity / Spreading / Terrestrial Pollution / Visual observation / Waste Management/Waste Technology / Water pressure