Simulation of liquefaction beneath an impermeable surface layer

A joint element is proposed, which can simulate the three phases of behaviour of an impermeable layer over a liquefied sand layer. The analysis tracks the post-liquefaction reconsolidation of the sand, the simultaneous development of a water film between the layers and the settlements resulting from the subsequent drainage of the water film. The element is incorporated in a finite element program, which can be used to simulate the behaviour of layered systems. The effectiveness of the program is demonstrated by simulation of the performance of a model soil deposit of two layers in a centrifuge test.