Cyclic Liquefaction Resistance of an Alluvial Natural Sand: A Comparison between Fully and Partially Saturated Conditions

Earthquake-induced liquefaction is one of the major causes building damage as it decreases strength and stiffness soil. The resistance soils increases significantly degree saturation decreases, making soil desaturation an effective measure for mitigation this phenomenon. This paper presents a comparative analysis alluvial sand from Aveiro (Portugal) under fully partially saturated conditions. For purpose, in situ characterisation based on CPTu laboratory series cyclic triaxial tests were carried out. conducted undrained conditions remoulded specimens with different degrees saturation, including full saturation. On other hand, apparatus was instrumented Hall-effect transducers to accurately strains during all testing phases. In addition, equipped piezoelectric seismic waves velocities, namely P-wave velocity, evaluation level specimen parallel Skempton’s B parameter. Hence, relations between B-value, velocity are presented. number cycles trigger liquefaction, considering pore pressure build-up criterion, presented Results confirmed increase lower