Numerical Modeling of Soil Liquefaction at Slope Site

A fully coupled effective stress dynamic analysis procedure for modeling seismic liquefaction on slope is presented. An elasto-plastic formulation is used for the constitutive model UBCSAND in which the yield loci are radial lines of constant stress ratio and the flow rule is non-associated. This is incorporated into the 2D version of Fast Lagrangian Analysis of Continua (FLAC) by modifying the existing Mohr-Coulomb model. This numerical procedure is used to simulate centrifuge test data from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI). UBCSAND is first calibrated to cyclic direct simple shear tests performed on Nevada sand. Both pre- and post-liquefaction behaviour is captured. The centrifuge test is then modeled and the predicted accelerations, excess porewater pressures, and displacements are compared with the measurements. The results are shown to be in general agreement. The procedure is currently being used in the design of liquefaction remediation measures for a number of dam, bridge, tunnel, and pipeline projects in Western Canada.