Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering and Soil Dynamics V
Blast-Induced Liquefaction Results at the Silty-Sand Site of Mirabello, Emilia Romagna Region, Italy
Publication: Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering and Soil Dynamics V: Liquefaction Triggering, Consequences, and Mitigation (GSP 290)
ABSTRACT
Recent experiences (e.g. New Zealand and United States) show that blast tests can cause liquefaction, inducing undrained cyclic loading, generating excess pore water pressure, and consequently producing real deformations. This paper introduces the results obtained from a research project on blast induced liquefaction, performed at a trial site located in Mirabello (near Ferrara, Italy), a little village strongly affected by liquefaction during the 2012 Emilia-Romagna earthquake. The liquefiable soils in this area contained significantly more fines than in previous blast tests. In particular, the objectives of the experiment were: (i) to evaluate liquefaction induced settlement of Apennine silts and sands, and Po River sands; (ii) to determine downdrag forces on pile foundations; (iii) to measure change in shear wave velocity/shear modulus with excess pore pressure; and (iv) to measure change in soil properties with time after liquefaction. This paper illustrates the results acquired before, during, and after the blast test using in-situ tests, pore pressure transducers, profilometers, topographical surveys, and a test micropile instrumented with strain gauges.
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The study was mainly funded by FIRB-Abruzzo project (“Indagini ad alta risoluzione per la stima della pericolosità e del rischio sismico nelle aree colpite dal terremoto del 6 aprile 2009”, http://progettoabruzzo.rm.ingv.it/it).
Special thanks to Brigham Young University for contributing to the realization of the blast test experiment in terms of personnel (Dave Anderson and Andrew Sparks) and technical equipment.
A special thanks also to the Mirabello Municipality (in particular the mayor, Angela Poltronieri) that made this experiment possible in collaboration with the other local authorities (Ferrara Prefecture, Emilia-Romagna Region, Ferrara Province, Local Civil Protection, Police, Fire Brigade).
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering and Soil Dynamics V: Liquefaction Triggering, Consequences, and Mitigation (GSP 290)
Pages: 108 - 116
Editors: Scott J. Brandenberg, Ph.D., University of California, Los Angeles, and Majid T. Manzari, Ph.D., George Washington University
ISBN (Online): 978-0-7844-8145-5
Copyright
© 2018 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Published online: Jun 7, 2018
ASCE Technical Topics:
- Blasting effects
- Continuum mechanics
- Dynamics (solid mechanics)
- Engineering fundamentals
- Engineering mechanics
- Field tests
- Geomechanics
- Geotechnical engineering
- Silt
- Soil dynamics
- Soil liquefaction
- Soil mechanics
- Soil modulus
- Soil pressure
- Soil properties
- Soil settlement
- Soils (by type)
- Solid mechanics
- Structural dynamics
- Tests (by type)
Authors
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