Centrifuge-Based Evaluation of Pile Foundation Response to Lateral Spreading and Mitigation Strategies: Research Progress and Accomplishments Report

A first objective of the research is to identify and quantify the mechanisms and parameters determining the hazard to deep foundations and superstructure caused by the lateral spreading. Two main situations have been identified, depending on pile foundation bending response controlled by the pressure of the liquefied soil or by that of a shallow nonliquefied layer. Field evidence, centrifuge results, and analyses have shown the shallow nonliquefiable layer to be more critical and more amenable to retrofitting. A second objective of the research is to develop and evaluate strategies to retrofit deep foundations by decreasing the pressure exerted by this nonliquefied shallow layer, with emphasis in cost-effective and advanced materials. A third objective is to develop fragility curves for nonretrofitted and retrofitted foundations. Centrifuge-Based Evaluation of Pile Foundation Response to Lateral Spreading and Mitigation Strategies