Liquefaction resistance of soils from shear-wave velocity

A simplified procedure using shear-wave velocity measurements for evaluatin g the liquefaction resistance of soils is presented. The procedure was deve loped in cooperation with industry, researchers, and practitioners and evol ved From workshops in 1996 and 1998. It follows the general format of the S eed-Idriss simplified procedure based on standard penetration test blow cou nt and was developed using case history data From 26 earthquakes and >70 me asurement sites in soils ranging from fine sand to sandy gravel with cobble s to profiles including silty clay layers. Liquefaction resistance curves w ere established by applying a modified relationship between the shear-wave velocity and cyclic stress ratio for the constant average cyclic shear stra in suggested by R. Dobry. These curves correctly predicted moderate to high liquefaction potential for >95% of the liquefaction case histories and are shown to be consistent with the standard penetration test based curves in sandy soils. A case study is provided to illustrate application of the proc edure. Additional data are needed, particularly from denser soil deposits s haken by stronger ground motions, to further validate the simplified proced ure.