Liquefaction in Soils

This paper presents a concept for study, analysis and research of one of the major cause regarding shear failure of soil. Liquefaction is a sudden failure of a loose soil mass due to total loss of shearing resistance. Typical causes are shocks or strains that abruptly increases the water pressure between soil particles causing the entire mass to behave similarly to a liquid. Liquefaction has been suggested to only occur at certain grain sizes. Earthquake-induced liquefaction is the loss of shear strength in soil due to increased pore pressure, and is a major factor contributing to infrastructure and lifeline damage during earthquake.

Liquefaction is responsible for extreme property damage and loss of life due to several variations of failure potential. Liquefied ground is no longer stable to withstand the stresses it is subjected to form structural foundation and even its own weight leading to a variety of potential failures.

The witnessed effect on structures with their foundation in a liquefied deposit resembles quick sand with a bearing capacity failure occurring beneath the foundation. The building structures will lean and fall; at times even split open under the strains. Also, dams and retaining walls are common boundaries to many bodies of water and their adjacent shores.

The damaging effects of liquefied soils are not only visible in the structural chauses left behind. The stresses produced during liquefaction can cause tension cracks to form in the soil near the embankment or it can collapse the whole member commonly known as lateral spreading or land sliding. Soils on or near slopes, hills, or mountains can experience the same effects.