Comparative Study of CPTU and SDMT in Liquefaction-Prone Silty Sands with Ground Improvement

Following the 2012 Emilia-Romagna seismic sequence, widespread liquefaction of silty sands was observed, providing opportunity to enhance our knowledge influence fines content on hazard and mitigation works. This paper presents results a thorough geotechnical investigation performed in connection with full-scale controlled blast tests Bondeno, Italy, small village that suffered 2012. Piezocone (CPTU) dilatometer (SDMT) were natural improved soils after rammed aggregate pier (RAP) treatment depth 9.5 m provide accurate soil characterization, evaluate liquefaction, verify effectiveness ground improvement. The combined use piezocone flat (DMT) data provided reliable estimates overconsolidation ratio at-rest earth pressure coefficient highlighted improvement between 4 9 depth. Shear-wave velocity measurements showed low sensitivity RAP installation. also confirmed by simplified procedures for assessment, underlining important adopted profile blast-induced liquefaction. CPTU DMT parameters remained approximately unchanged piers detonation.