Effect of soil gradation on embankment response during liquefaction: A centrifuge testing program

This paper describes a centrifuge study undertaken to investigate how sand gradation affects the system-level performance of embankments subjected strong shaking. Current analysis and design practices are primarily based on knowledge from case history records liquefaction, with majority those sites consisting clean, poorly graded sands. The narrow range characteristics represented in database poses challenge during embankment structures traditionally constructed with, or founded on, more broadly soils. tests herein were designed elucidate uniformly well perform differently earthquake A experiment test program was developed conducted using 9-m-radius at UC Davis Center for Geotechnical Modeling. consisted two submerged 10-degree positioned side-by-side same rigid model container, one other sand. dry pluviated relative density, but absolute densities sands different. identically instrumented dense arrays in-situ sensors beneath level ground above slope mid-slope measure dynamic response liquefaction. Results showed that equal would both liquefy (i.e., r u reach 1.0), deformations less severe Greater resistance generation faster dissipation excess porewater pressures, coupled stronger dilatancy increased stability, curtailing liquefaction-induced deformations. • testing performed evaluate effects behavior embankments. Testing tests, corresponding four Novel experimental hardware, measurement techniques developed. Embankment did vary soil even if prepared D .