Spatial variability of soil properties - Analysis and effects on soil liquefaction

The effects of spatial variability of soil properties on the behavior of saturated soil deposits subjected to seismic excitation are analyzed, and their implications on geotechnical design are discussed. A Monte Carlo simulation methodology, combining digital generation of non-Gaussian stochastic vector fields with dynamic, nonlinear finite element analyses is used for that purpose. It is concluded that a more realistic pattern of soil liquefaction occurrence, and higher pore water pressure build-up are predicted if the stochastic variability of soil properties is accounted for. A characteristic percentile of soil strength to be used in deterministic geotechnical design is found based on analysis of real in-situ soil data.