Technical Papers
Nov 23, 2023

Cyclic Resistance Models for Transitional Silts with Application to Subduction Zone Earthquakes

Publication: Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 150, Issue 2

Abstract

Regression models are presented to estimate the cyclic resistance of transitional silts as an alternative to semiempirical case history and stress history and normalized engineering parameter-based models using a database of cyclic laboratory tests on intact specimens. Expressions for the plasticity index (PI) dependent semilogarithmic slope, exponent b, of the curve describing the variation of cyclic resistance ratio (CRR) and number of loading cycles and the variation of number of equivalent loading cycles with b are developed for subduction zone earthquakes alongside corresponding magnitude scaling factors for use in cyclic failure assessments (i.e., liquefaction triggering and cyclic softening) within the simplified method framework. A PI, overconsolidation ratio, and shear strain-dependent model for the variation of CRR with N is presented to estimate cyclic resistance as a function of cyclic shear strain failure criteria ranging from 1% to 10%. The suite of models can be used together or separately to facilitate assessments of cyclic failure of, or plan cyclic laboratory test programs and/or calibrate constitutive models for, transitional silts in the absence of site-specific laboratory tests.

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Data Availability Statement

All data, models, and code generated or used during the study appear in the published article, Supplemental Materials, or in cited references.

Acknowledgments

The authors were financially supported in part by the National Science Foundation under Grant CMMI 1663654, the Cascadia Lifeline Program, the Oregon Department of Transportation, and the Pacific Earthquake Engineering Research Center (PEER) through Award 1175-NCTRSA during course of this study. The authors thank Sam Christie, P.E., G.E., of Kleinfelder, Inc., for use of available cyclic testing data produced to, and Dr. Sam Sideras of Shannon and Wilson, Inc. for use of data generated at Oregon State University in, support of civil infrastructure project requirements. The findings in this study represent those of the authors and do not necessarily represent views of the sponsors or industry partners. The writers are grateful for the discussions with and valuable comments provided by Professors Scott Brandenberg and Johnathan Stewart and for the comments received by the anonymous reviewers.

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Go to Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 150Issue 2February 2024

History

Received: Feb 9, 2023
Accepted: Aug 21, 2023
Published online: Nov 23, 2023
Published in print: Feb 1, 2024
Discussion open until: Apr 23, 2024

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Ali Dadashiserej
Geotechnical Engineer, Jacobs Solutions, Inc., 2020 SW 4th Ave., Suite 300, Portland, OR 97201.
Amalesh Jana, M.ASCE
Research Associate and Instructor, School of Civil and Construction Engineering, Oregon State Univ., 101 Kearney Hall, Corvallis, OR 97331.
Professor, School of Civil and Construction Engineering, Oregon State Univ., 101 Kearney Hall, Corvallis, OR 97331 (corresponding author). ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6265-9906. Email: [email protected]
T. Matthew Evans, M.ASCE https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8457-7602
Professor, School of Civil and Construction Engineering, Oregon State Univ., 101 Kearney Hall, Corvallis, OR 97331. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8457-7602

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