Centrifuge modelling of liquefaction of saturated sand under cyclic loading

Dynamic centrifuge tests were performed on models of saturated deposits of liquefiable sand with relative densities ranging from 50% to 80%. Similar earthquake simulations were applied to the models in order to compare their behaviour during cyclic loading. It was observed that even though the sand relative density controls the rate of pore pressure generation and deformation potential, massive excess pore pressure generation causing subsequent degradation of the sand's mechanical properties and large settlements were observed in all the models. It was also observed that the sand's relative density strongly influences the attenuation or amplification of accelerations through the deposit. Based on the experimental results, some practical considerations on the use of densification as a measure against earthquake-induced liquefaction are presented.