Raymond B. Seed

Probabilistic models for the initiation of seismic soil liquefaction

Abstract A Bayesian framework for probabilistic assessment of the initiation of seismic soil liquefaction is described. A database, consisting of post-earthquake field observations of soil performance, in conjunction with in situ “index” test results is used for the development of probabilistically-based seismic soil liquefaction initiation correlations. The proposed stochastic model allows full and consistent representation of all relevant uncertainties. including (a) measurement/estimation errors, (b) model imperfection, (c) statistical uncertainty, and (d) inherent variabilities. Different sets of probabilistic liquefaction boundary curves are developed for the seismic soil liquefaction initiation hazard problem, representing various sources of uncertainty that are intrinsic to the problem. The resulting correlations represent a significant improvement over prior efforts, producing predictive relationships with enhanced accuracy and greatly reduced overall model uncertainty.

Correlation between ground failure and soil conditions in Adapazari, Turkey

Ground failure in Adapazari, Turkey during the 1999 Kocaeli earthquake (Mw ¼ 7.4) was severe. In four central downtown districts, where more than 1200 buildings collapsed or were heavily damaged, hundreds of structures tilted and penetrated into the ground due in part to liquefaction and ground softening. Based on a multi-institutional subsurface investigation program, soil conditions along four lines in which ground failure was surveyed after the earthquake are classified into four generalized subsurface site categories. This classification is primarily based on the presence or absence of shallow and intermediate depth liquefiable soils. Observations of ground failure are found to correlate well with site categories that are susceptible to liquefaction according to current state-of-the-art methods without strict adherence to the Chinese criteria. Soils that liquefied were found to meet the liquid limit and liquidity index conditions of the Chinese criteria. However, soils that liquefied did not typically meet the clay-size condition for liquefiable soils by the Chinese criteria. q 2002 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.

A low-compliance bi-directional cyclic simple shear apparatus

A new simple shear apparatus is described which can apply bi-directional simple shear cyclic and monotonic loading. Cylindrical specimens are placed in a pressure chamber so that confining pressure and back pressure can be applied. Bi-directional shear loads are applied to the specimens base, which is mounted on a series of two horizontal rolling tables which can be independently loaded in two orthogonal directions while preventing cap and base platen “rocking.” A computer-automated feedback-loop-controlled pneumatic servovalve system provides excellent control of loads and displacements. Displacement control during cyclic tests on softening specimens is improved by the inclusion of a parallel stiffness. Procedures and test results are presented for three different undrained cyclic simple shear loading conditions and for a strain-controlled monotonic loading condition.

Liquefaction-induced ground deformations at Hotel Sapanca during Kocaeli (Izmit),Turkey earthquake

Abstract This paper presents a study of liquefaction-induced ground deformations at the Hotel Sapanca site during the 1999 Kocaeli (Izmit)—Turkey earthquake. The paper discusses: (1) observed ground deformations and displacements after the earthquake, (2) the results of field investigations by means of borings and in situ index tests including standard penetration tests (SPT), static cone penetration tests (CPT) and piezocone (CPTU) tests, (3) analyses of observed ground settlements and lateral deformations by a suite of methods, and (4) comparisons of observed and calculated ground movements.

1 g Small-Scale Modelling of Saturated Cohesive Soils

This paper describes the use of 1 g small-scale models composed of weak, saturated clay mixtures to investigate the response of natural clay deposits to underlying base rock fault displacements. A 3:1 mixture of kaolinite and bentonite at water contents between 150 and 100% produces a material with undrained shear strengths on the order of 1 to 2.5 kPa and well-scaled stress deformation behavior for small-scale model testing without the need for a centrifuge apparatus. Strength testing indicated that the axial strain at failure could be controlled to evaluate the importance of this parameter in base deformation testing. It was found that the height of the shear zone in the saturated clay overlying the base rock fault offset was related to the magnitude of base movement and the failure strain of the soil.

Probabilistic Liquefaction Triggering Based on the Cone Penetration Test

Performance-based earthquake engineering requires a probabilistic treatment of potential failure modes in order to accurately quantify the overall stability of the system. This paper is a summary of the application portions of the probabilistic liquefaction tri ggering correlations proposed recently proposed by Moss and co -workers. To enable probabilistic treatment of liquefaction triggering, the variables comprising the seismic load and the liquefaction resistance were treated as inherently uncertain. Supportin g data from an extensive Cone Penetration Test (CPT)-based liquefaction case history database were used to develop a probabilistic correlation. The methods used to measure the uncertainty of the load and resistance variables, how the interactions of these variables were treated using Bayesian updating, and how reliability analysis was applied to produce curves of equal probability of liquefaction are presented. The normalization for effective overburden stress, the magnitude correlated duration weighting factor, and the non-linear shear mass participation factor used are also discussed.

Determination of Multidirectional p-y Curves for Soft Clays

The evaluation of performance of soil-pile-structure systems under seismic loading is one of the most complex problems in earthquake engineering. In the most common methodology, force-displacement curves are used to describe the nonlinear response of discrete soil springs connecting the piles to the “free-field” soil column using the concept of beam on nonlinear Winkler foundation. Although there is a great interest and on-going research to characterize the multi-directional “free-field” soil response, there is a lack of information and experimental data to formulate p-y curves in multi-directional loading conditions. A new testing device was designed and constructed to obtain high quality data to calibrate numerical tools used to evaluate the seismic performance of structures supported on deep foundations in soft clay. A suite of different ground displacement path scenarios observed during recent earthquakes was simulated to assess the effect of displacement history on measured p-y response.

Simplified Methodology for Consideration of Two-Dimensional Dynamic Response of Levees in Liquefaction-Triggering Evaluation

AbstractLevees are very challenging engineering structures to study, in part because they are not typically well-engineered structures. Unfortunately, there is little to no guidance as to how to evaluate the seismic vulnerability of levees. This study focuses on systematically studying the dynamic response of levees using a wide range of input ground motions and developing a simplified procedure for the liquefaction triggering evaluation of earthen levees, accounting for the dynamic response of the levee. The study was based on three levee sites representative of three select California Central Valley regions; however, because floodplains tend to generally have similar depositional environments, the study can be extended to other regions as long as some of the principal characteristics are still applicable. A wide range of input ground motions was used to capture and assess the variability in response and performance because of multiple possible earthquake scenarios. Two aspects of the dynamic response an...

Investigation of the performance of the New Orleans regional flood protection systems during Hurricane Katrina: Lessons learned

The recent flooding and devastation of the greater New Orleans region during hurricane Katrina represented the most costly peace-time failure of an engineered system in North American history. Extensive investigations and analyses have been performed by several major teams in the wake of this disaster, and some very important lessons have been learned. Many of these have very direct and urgent applications to levee systems in other regions throughout the U.S., and the world. Lessons include the importance of proper evaluation of risk and hazard; so that appropriate decisions can be made regarding the levels of expense and effort that should be directed towards prevention of catastrophe, and the levels of post-disaster response capability that should be maintained as well. The making of appropriate decisions, given this information regarding risk levels, is then also important. Also of vital importance are numerous “engineering” lessons regarding analysis, design, construction and maintenance; hard-won lessons with applications to flood protection systems everywhere. We must now do everything possible to capitalize upon these; and to prevent a recurrence of this type of catastrophe in the future. 1 Professor, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720. Email: seed@ce.berkeley.edu GSP 161 Embankments, Dams, and Slopes Copyright ASCE 2007 Geo-Denver 2007: New Peaks in Geotechnics Redistribution subject to ASCE license or copyright. Visit http://www.ascelibrary.org

Geotechnical Engineering Aspects of the June 1999 Central Mexico Earthquakes

An earthquake of moment magnitude (Mw) 7.0 struck the central region of Mexico on 15 June 1999 between the states of Puebla and Oaxaca. A second event with a moment magnitude 6.3 occurred on June 21, also affecting the central region of Mexico but with minor consequences. Attenuation relationships of peak ground acceleration with hypocentral distance for the June 15th event were compared with strong-motion recordings over a variety of geologic site conditions. Significant site amplification was observed and was correlated with deep soil conditions. The June 15th event caused significant damage of unreinforced masonry structures, such as churches and houses, including more than 500 historical buildings. Puebla City and the towns of Tehuacán and Acatlán de Osorio were the urban areas hardest hit by the earthquake. Although the earthquake was felt in Mexico City, the damage was light and mostly restricted to nonstructural elements. Comparison with observations obtained during the September 1985 earthquake suggest that significant soil nonlinearity, resulting in increased amplification at larger periods, can be observed for soft soil sites.