On correction factors for liquefaction analysis of embankments and slopes

Abstract

Soil liquefaction is an important design consideration for embankment dams and slopes in seismic areas. The engineering practice in many parts of the world is to extend the simplified procedure for liquefaction analysis for level ground conditions by introducing two correction factors accounting respectively for large overburden pressure and initial static shear stress. While considerable effort has been made in the past to formulate these correction factors using laboratory and field data, there remains great concern about reliability of the recommended empirical factors. In this short paper, the existing proposals for determination of the two factors are examined against new data sets from a systematic experimental program covering a wide range of relative densities, confining pressures and static shear stress levels. The applicability of these proposals and the need for improvement are investigated. © 2013 American Society of Civil Engineers