Liquefaction Mapping in Finite-Element Simulations

Recent criteria have been developed to describe the onset of static liquefaction in constitutive models. This paper expands the theory to a finite-element framework in order to predict potentially unstable regions in granular soils at the engineering scale. Example simulations are presented for two plane strain tests and a submarine slope to demonstrate the applicability of a proposed liquefaction criterion to boundary value problems. In addition, loading rate and mesh size effects on the liquefaction prediction are examined. The methodology presented herein shows promise as a means of predicting soil liquefaction based on solid mechanical theory rather than empiricism.

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