Liquefaction Mapping in Finite-Element Simulations

Abstract

Recent criteria have been developed to describe the onset of static liquefaction in constitutive models. This paper expands the theory to a finite-element framework in order to predict potentially unstable regions in granular soils at the engineering scale. Example simulations are presented for two plane strain tests and a submarine slope to demonstrate the applicability of a proposed liquefaction criterion to boundary value problems. In addition, loading rate and mesh size effects on the liquefaction prediction are examined. The methodology presented herein shows promise as a means of predicting soil liquefaction based on solid mechanical theory rather than empiricism.

Reliability analysis of static liquefaction of loose sand using the random finite element method

“…Buscarnera et al (2011) studied diffuse instability by loss of controllability and derived the mathematical models under different loading conditions. Based on the Nor-Sand model ( Jefferies, 1993;Andrade and Ellison, 2008), the critical hardening modulus corresponding to the onset of static liquefaction was obtained and adopted in numerical modeling of submarine slope (Ellison and Andrade, 2009). Sadrekarimi (2014) developed an empirical procedure for static liquefaction analysis and estimating peak friction strength and critical shear strength (critical).…”

Mathematical identification of diffuse and localized instabilities in fluid‐saturated sands

“…Indeed, geomechanical modeling is a powerful tool for elucidating the peculiar implications of material properties and field conditions. In particular, the inspection of numerical predictions from simulated specimen‐scale tests or field‐scale boundary value analyses enables the implications of material instability to be explored. The formulation of material models, for example, is inspired by laboratory tests that are carried out under highly controlled static/kinematic conditions.…”