Liquefaction, ground oscillation, and soil deformation at the Wildlife Array, California

Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America
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Abstract

Excess pore-water pressure and liquefaction at the Wildlife Liquefaction Array in 1987 were caused by deformation associated with both high-frequency strong ground motion and 5.5-second-period Love waves. The Love waves produced large (∼1.5%) cyclic shear strains well after the stronger high-frequency ground motion abated. These cyclic strains generated approximately from 13 to 35% of the excess pore-water pressure in the liquefied layer and caused excess pore-water pressures ultimately to reach effective overburden stress. The deformation associated with the Love waves explains the “postearthquake” increase of pore-water pressure that was recorded at the array. This explanation suggests that conventional methods for predicting liquefaction based on peak ground acceleration are incomplete and may need to consider cyclic strains associated with long-period surface waves. A postearthquake survey of an inclinometer casing indicated permanent shear strain associated with lateral spreading primarily occurred in the upper part of the liquefied layer. Comparison of cone penetration test soundings conducted after the earthquake with pre-earthquake soundings suggests sleeve friction increased. Natural lateral variability of the liquefied layer obscured changes in tip resistance despite a ∼1% reduction in volume. The large oscillatory motion associated with surface waves explains ground oscillation that has been reported at some liquefaction sites during earthquakes.

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Liquefaction, ground oscillation, and soil deformation at the Wildlife Array, California
Series title Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America
DOI 10.1785/0120060156
Volume 97
Issue 3
Year Published 2007
Language English
Publisher Seismological Society of America
Description 16 p.
First page 961
Last page 976
Country United States
State California
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