Numerical Analysis on Co- and Postseismic Behavior of Sandy/Clayey Soil Ground Improved by Sand Compaction Pile Method

The co- and postseismic behaviors of typical loose sandy ground and soft clayey ground improved by the sand compaction pile (SCP) method were investigated using a soil-water coupled finite element deformation analysis program incorporating the SYS-Cam clay model. The results indicated that the deformation caused by earthquakes was suppressed in the SCP improved grounds, irrespective of whether they were sandy or clayey. Although the surrounding ground was liquefied in the case of SCP-improved sandy ground, the confining pressure was maintained in the SCP interpile zone because of the compaction effect produced by the cavity expansion of the sand piles. In the case of the SCP-improved clayey ground, negative excess pore pressures appeared in the SCP sand piles because of the hardening that results from plastic expansion and stress was concentrated on them.