Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering and Soil Dynamics V
Centrifuge Model Testing of Liquefaction Mitigation via Denitrification-Induced Desaturation
Publication: Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering and Soil Dynamics V: Liquefaction Triggering, Consequences, and Mitigation (GSP 290)
ABSTRACT
Centrifuge model tests were conducted to evaluate the potential for earthquake-induced soil liquefaction mitigation via microbially mediated denitrification (dissimilatory reduction of nitrogen). Desaturation by denitrifying bacteria is the first stage of a two-stage process to increase earthquake-induced liquefaction resistance referred to as microbially induced desaturation and precipitation (MIDP). In the test described herein, denitrification was induced in Ottawa F-65 sand on the 1-m radius centrifuge at the University of California, Davis NHERI/CGM centrifuge. The degree of saturation was monitored during testing by monitoring soil moisture content. After monitoring indicated that significant desaturation had been induced at 1 g by an enriched denitrifying microorganism culture, the model was accelerated to 80 g. Saturation measurements during spin-up provided insight on the influence of steady state pore pressure on biogenic gas desaturation. Cyclic loading during the ultimate centrifuge acceleration of 80 g demonstrated desaturation via MIDP has potential to mitigate earthquake-induced soil liquefaction.
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Work described herein was supported by the National Science Foundation Geomechanics and Geosystems Engineering and Engineering Research Center programs under grants numbered CMMI-0703000, CMMI-0727463 CMMI-1233658, CMMI-0830182, and ERC-1449501. Operation of the centrifuge is supported by NSF under the NHERI program, CMMI-1520581. The authors are grateful for this support. Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the NSF.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering and Soil Dynamics V: Liquefaction Triggering, Consequences, and Mitigation (GSP 290)
Pages: 117 - 126
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:
- Business management
- Centrifuge models
- Centrifuges
- Chemical processes
- Chemistry
- Construction equipment
- Denitrification
- Earthquakes
- Engineering fundamentals
- Environmental engineering
- Equipment and machinery
- Geohazards
- Geomechanics
- Geotechnical engineering
- Microbes
- Mitigation and remediation
- Models (by type)
- Organisms
- Practice and Profession
- Soil liquefaction
- Soil mechanics
- Soil properties
- Soil tests
- Tests (by type)
Authors
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