Numerical investigation of liquefaction mitigation using gravel drains

Achilleas Papadimitrou, Maria-Eleni Moutsopoulou, George Bouckovalas, Andrew Brennan

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Abstract

This paper studies the use of gravel drains as a means of mitigating earthquake-induced liquefaction in non cohesive soils. The study is performed numerically using the 2D finite difference code FLAC and a recently proposed bounding surface plasticity model for non cohesive soil behavior under cyclic loading. The reliability of the numerical methodology is verified via the simulation of a centrifuge test for a uniform 19m-thick liquefiable sand layer that was improved with gravel drains and subjected to earthquake motion. The comparison of data to simulations is performed in terms of time histories of accelerations and excess pore water pressure ratios at various locations within the sand layer and is found satisfactory. Given the accuracy of the methodology, parametric analyses were performed for the study of the merely horizontal dissipation of excess pore pressures provided by gravel drains in a thin liquefiable sand layer enclosed in practically impermeable clay layers. The emphasis of the analyses is the rate of excess pore pressure buildup in the improved ground, as compared to the recommendations of available methods for design of gravel drains. In particular, a conservatism of the design charts of Seed & Booker (1977) is explained at least qualitatively, and preliminary recommendations are provided for their future use.
Original languageEnglish
PagesPaper no. 1548
Number of pages13
Publication statusPublished - 25 Jun 2007
Event4th International Conference on Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering - Thessaloniki, Greece
Duration: 25 Jun 200728 Jun 2007
http://www.earthquake-issmge.org/events.html

Conference

Conference4th International Conference on Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering
Country/TerritoryGreece
CityThessaloniki
Period25/06/0728/06/07
Internet address

Keywords

  • liquefaction
  • gravel drains
  • ground improvement
  • sands
  • bounding surface
  • plasticity

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