SGER: Cooperative Research on Soil Liquefaction Prediction Based on Field Test Parameters

California Polytechnic State University Foundation, San Luis Obispo CA

Investigators

Abstract

Abstract : The proposed research is a cooperative project among researchers at the USGS, the IEM(CEA), and California Polytechnic at San Luis Obispo. In-situ soil parameters will be collected in the Bachu region of the People?s Republic of China (P.R.C.) that was severely damaged by soil liquefaction in 2003 Bachu earthquake. The goal is collect cone penetration test (CPT), standard penetration test (SPT), and shear wave velocity (VS) measurements throughout the affected region at 60 sites. The data will be used to; 1) bolster the existing worldwide database of liquefaction case histories, and 2) compare CPT, SPT, and VS liquefaction predictions methods used in the P.R.C. and the U.S. This situation is unique in that previous liquefaction data sets have generally been collected in a disjointed manner, thereby increasing the measurement uncertainty and decreasing the correlation between CPT, SPT, and VS measurements. This project will also allow for comparison of liquefaction prediction methods used in the P.R.C. and the U.S.