CPT-Based Liquefaction Triggering Procedure
Publication: Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 142, Issue 2
Abstract
A probabilistic cone penetration test (CPT) based liquefaction triggering procedure for cohesionless soils is derived using a maximum likelihood method with an updated case history database. The liquefaction analysis framework includes revised relationships for the magnitude scaling factor (MSF) and for estimating fines contents from CPT data when laboratory test data are not available. The updated case history database and methodology for developing the liquefaction correlation are described. Measurement and estimation uncertainties, the potential effects of false positives and false negatives in the case history database, and the effects of the choice-based sampling bias in the case history database are accounted for. Sensitivity analyses showed that the position of the most likely triggering curve and the magnitude of the total error term are reasonably well constrained by the data. The sensitivity study provides reasonable bounds on the effects of different interpretations, from which probabilistic and deterministic relationships for practice are recommended.
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Acknowledgments
The authors are grateful for information and insights from numerous colleagues. Information on case histories was provided by Drs. Michael Bennett, Thomas Holzer, and Rob Kayen. Professor Russell Green and his coauthors provided advance copies of their work examining CPT data from Christchurch. Comments were provided by Professors Jonathan Bray, Misko Cubrinovski, Jason DeJong, Russell Green, James Mitchell, and Jonathan Stewart, Drs. Mike Beaty, Dave Gillette, Thomas Holzer, Lelio Mejia, and Peter Robertson, and Mr. Adam Price. The authors are, however, solely responsible for the data, interpretations, and recommendations presented in this paper. Portions of this work were supported by the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) and National Science Foundation (grants CMMI-1138203 and CMMI-1300518). Any opinions, findings, or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as representing the official policies, either expressed or implied, of either organization.
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Information & Authors
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Published In
Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 142 • Issue 2 • February 2016
Copyright
© 2015 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Sep 10, 2014
Accepted: Jun 15, 2015
Published online: Jul 28, 2015
Discussion open until: Dec 28, 2015
Published in print: Feb 1, 2016
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