Degree of saturation affecting liquefaction resistance and undrained shear strength of silty sands

The undrained shear strength and liquefaction cyclic resistance of silty sands are examined based on a large number of laboratory triaxial test results. The influence of saturation on the liquefaction triggering and occurrence of liquefaction-induced flow slides is highlighted. The laboratory triaxial tests are conducted separately in the three phases of full saturation, partial saturation and unsaturation. The past studies of the authors' are first reviewed and some new data are added where appropriate. The different responses of silty sands in those three phases of saturation are discussed in detail.