Evaluation of the Liquefaction Potential Index for Assessing Liquefaction Hazard in Christchurch, New Zealand
Publication: Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 140, Issue 7
Abstract
While the liquefaction potential index (LPI) has been used to characterize liquefaction hazards worldwide, calibration of LPI to observed liquefaction severity is limited, and the efficacy of the LPI framework and accuracy of derivative liquefaction hazard maps are thus uncertain. Herein, utilizing cone penetration test soundings from nearly 1,200 sites, in conjunction with field observations following the Darfield and Christchurch, New Zealand, earthquakes, this study evaluates the performance of LPI in predicting the occurrence and severity of surficial liquefaction manifestations. It was found that LPI is generally effective in predicting moderate-to-severe liquefaction manifestations, but its utility diminishes for predicting less severe manifestations. Additionally, it was found that LPI should be used with caution in locations susceptible to lateral spreading, because LPI may inconsistently predict its occurrence. A relationship between overpredictions of liquefaction severity and profiles having soils with high inferred fines-content was also investigated. It was determined that the LPI procedure might be improved if it accounted for the characteristics of soils in the crust and interbedded nonliquefiable layers, as well as the characteristics of the soils predicted to liquefy. Further research is needed in this regard. Finally, it was found that for the in situ conditions in Christchurch, the computed LPI values were relatively sensitive to estimates of groundwater depth because of the proximity of liquefiable strata to the ground surface.
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Acknowledgments
The study presented herein is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant Nos. OISE 1209494, CMMI 1030564, and CMMI 1306261. The third and fourth authors would like to acknowledge the continuous financial support provided by the Earthquake Commission (EQC) and Natural Hazards Research Platform (NHRP), New Zealand, of the research and investigations related to the 2010–2011 Canterbury earthquakes. The authors also acknowledge the New Zealand GeoNet project and its sponsors EQC, GNS Science, and LINZ for providing the earthquake occurrence data and the Canterbury Geotechnical Database and its sponsor EQC for providing the CPT soundings, lateral spread observations, and aerial imagery used in this study. However, any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this paper are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation, EQC, NHRP, or LINZ.
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Published In
Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 140 • Issue 7 • July 2014
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© 2014 American Society of Civil Engineers.
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Received: May 12, 2013
Accepted: Feb 18, 2014
Published online: Apr 11, 2014
Published in print: Jul 1, 2014
Discussion open until: Sep 11, 2014
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