Microscopic investigation into liquefaction resistance of pre-sheared sand: Effects of particle shape and initial anisotropy

Liquefaction resistance of sand can be either increased or reduced due to an undrained cyclic pre-shearing depending on the degree of pre-shearing, which hinders a better prediction of liquefaction potential to be established. The mechanism of such changes in liquefaction resistance has been poorly understood. This contribution aims to gain micromechanical insights into pre-shearing effects on liquefaction resistance of sand using discrete element method (DEM) simulations. In particular, effects of particle shape and initial anisotropy on liquefaction resistance are investigated. The simulation results from samples consisting of non-spherical particles with an initial anisotropy can qualitatively capture the mechanical responses observed in equivalent laboratory experiments. The samples which yielded a qualitative agreement with the laboratory results are further analyzed micromechanically, and the relationships between liquefaction resistance and some microscopic parameters before cyclic loading are discussed. Microscopic analyses reveal that mean mechanical coordination number is well correlated with liquefaction resistance, whereas liquefaction resistance is less sensitive to anisotropy in particle orientation induced by pre-shearing.     

Insight into excess pore pressure generation leading to liquefaction of sand with stress history under saturated and unsaturated conditions

Assessments of the liquefaction resistance of clean sand still involve considerable uncertainties, which are a current research topic in the field of soil liquefaction. The factors considered and discussed in this study include the loading history, degree of saturation, and partial drainage. The effects of each of these factors on pore pressure generation and liquefaction resistance have been studied for decades in the laboratory, and empirical relationships have been derived. In this paper, an attempt is made to explain these effects using the unique index of volumetric strain. A pore pressure generation model is developed which is similar to that of Martin et al. (1975), but based on stress-controlled triaxial tests. The model is verified through comparisons of its results with those of laboratory tests. It is confirmed that the plastic volumetric strain that has accumulated in sand, either by drained or undrained cyclic loading, dominates the increase in the liquefaction resistance of the sand. However, the plastic volumetric strain caused by overconsolidation is less effective in reducing the volumetric strain potential for subsequent cyclic shearing, thus enhancing its resistance to liquefaction. The model provides a better understanding of the physical processes leading to the liquefaction of saturated and unsaturated sand with and without stress history.     

前期动载对低塑性粉土静态和动态强度的影响

 低塑性粉土广泛存在于世界范围内,在地震中容易产生液化现象,然而一些基础设施破坏不仅见于地震中也发生在地震后,这就决定了研究低塑性粉土震后行为的必要性。以美国中部密西西比河沿岸低塑性粉土为试验材料,研究动载对低塑性粉土静态和动态强度的影响。在动三轴仪上对试样施加动载引起超孔隙水压力,排水重固结后,分别对2组震动后试样进行静态和动态三轴强度试验。试验结果表明,当液化水平小于0.70时,前期动载对粉土的不排水剪切强度影响不大;相反地,只有当液化水平大于0.70,密西西比河沿岸粉土的震后重固结体积应变和不排水剪切强度才伴随着液化水平的提高显著增加,但相对于砂土而言,重固结体积应变在较低的液化水平时即有明显增加。与前期动载对不排水剪切强度的影响不同,当动载所引起的液化水平为0.35或轴向应变为0.2%时,抗液化强度达到最大值,若液化水平大于0.35,抗液化强度伴随液化水平提高而降低。如果前期荷载引起较大的压应变,在重固结后第二次动载循环中,轴向压力相比轴向拉力引起较小的超孔隙水压力。     

Effects of small and large shear histories on multiple liquefaction properties of sand with initial static shear

It has been reported that soils belonging to slope grounds show different types of liquefaction behavior than those belonging to horizontal grounds. Some research has also revealed that liquefaction histories can significantly affect the shear behavior of sandy soils. However, the combined effects of the slope angle and the magnitude of past shear histories on the liquefaction properties of soils have not been studied comprehensively. Based on this background, several multiple liquefaction tests with initial static shear were conducted on Toyoura sand. In each of these tests, a single specimen was sheared several times up to small or large double amplitude shear strain under a constant volume condition using a specially designed stacked-ring shear apparatus. The behavior of the Toyoura sand observed in these tests was discussed considering various perspectives, such as the increase in relative density, the induced anisotropy, the change in liquefaction resistance, and the shear strain accumulation. The findings of this study established that shear histories of smaller magnitude had relatively less influence on densification and induced anisotropy than those of larger magnitude. Moreover, shear histories of smaller magnitude also resulted in the relatively higher liquefaction resistance of sand specimens against the next cyclic shear, while the opposite trend was observed in the case of specimens subjected to shear histories of larger magnitude. Finally, shear strain accumulated less easily in tests with small shear histories than in those with large shear histories.     

Effects of initial static shear on liquefaction and large deformation properties of loose saturated Toyoura sand in undrained cyclic torsional shear tests

This study focused on the role which static shear plays on the large deformation behavior of loose saturated sand during undrained cyclic loading. A series of undrained cyclic torsional shear tests was performed on saturated Toyoura sand specimens up to single amplitude shear strain exceeding 50%. Three types of cyclic loading patterns, i.e., stress reversal, intermediate and non-reversal, were employed by varying the initial static shear level and the cyclic shear stress amplitude. The observed types of failure could be distinguished into liquefaction (cyclic and rapid flow) and residual deformation by comparing both monotonic and cyclic undrained behavior. It was found that the presence of initial static shear does not always lead to an increase in the resistance to liquefaction or strain accumulation; they could either increase or decrease with an increasing initial static shear level depending on the type of loading pattern and failure behavior. In addition, according to the failure behavior which the specimens exhibited, three modes of development of large residual deformation were observed.     

基于原位测试指标的砂土时间效应定量表征初步研究

时间效应对土体抗液化强度有显著影响,其定量表征是砂土地震液化判别的研究难点之一。基于土体小应变剪切模量Gmax和静力触探锥尖阻力qc的经验表达式,对土体密实度和有效应力作归一化处理,提出了砂土时间效应的表征指标AI。该表征指标在数学上表达为小应变剪切模量与大应变静力触探锥尖阻力的结构性参数的比值函数。通过分析已有室内试验数据发现重塑砂土具有稳定的AI值,而对现场数据的分析则揭示了砂土沉积年代越久、AI值越大的整体趋势。该表征指标能揭示土体力学特性随时间的演变规律却不含时间变量,因此是一个"表观时间"参数,为进一步研究时间效应对砂土抗液化强度的影响规律提供了基础。     

Effects of Pore Fluid Compressibility on Liquefaction Resistance of Partially Saturated Sand

It has been recognized that the soil resistance to liquefaction increases significantly as the degree of saturation decreases. However, the effect of the degree of saturation reported in the literature varies widely between researchers. In this study, influential factors of the liquefaction resistance of partially saturated sand are derived from theoretical consideration and effects of the factors are examined through a series of triaxial tests. It was confirmed that the degree of saturation has a significant effect on the liquefaction resistance. It also appeared that the liquefaction resistance depends on the initial confining pressure and the initial pore pressure; the higher the confining pressure and the lower the initial pore pressure, the higher the liquefaction resistance of partially saturated sand. A unique relationship between liquefaction resistance ratios and the potential volumetric strain was found, which enable to estimate the liquefaction resistance of partially saturated sand with the effects of the three factors taken into account.     

Deformation and cyclic resistance of sand in large-strain undrained torsional shear tests with initial static shear stress

This paper presents the findings from an experimental study focusing on the undrained cyclic behavior of sand in the presence of initial static shear stress. A series of undrained cyclic torsional shear tests was performed on saturated air-pluviated Toyoura sand specimens up to single amplitude shear strain ($\gamma$_SA) exceeding 50%. Two types of cyclic loading conditions, namely, stress reversal (SR) and stress non-reversal (SNR), were employed by changing the amplitude of the combined initial static shear and cyclic shear stresses. The tests covered a broad range of initial states in terms of relative density (Dr = 20–74%) and the initial static shear stress ratio (α = 0–0.30). The following five distinct modes of deformation were identified from the tests based on the density state, the transient undrained peak shear stress, and the combined cyclic and static shear stresses: 1) static liquefaction, 2) cyclic liquefaction, 3) cyclic mobility, 4) shear deformation failure, and 5) limited deformation. Of these, cyclic liquefaction and static liquefaction are the most critical. They occur in very loose sand (D_r ≤ 24%) under SR and SNR, respectively, and are characterized by abrupt flow-type shear deformation. Cyclic mobility occurs under SR in loose to dense sand with D_r ≥ 24%. Contrarily, shear deformation failure typically occurs under SNR in sand with 24 < D_r < 65%, and limited deformation may take place in dense sand with D_r ≥ 65%. In this paper, a stress-void ratio-based predictive method is proposed to identify the likely mode of deformation/failure in sand under undrained shear loading with static shear. Furthermore, the cyclic resistance is evaluated at three different levels of $\gamma$_SA (i.e., small, $\gamma$_SA = 3%; moderate, $\gamma$_SA = 7.5%; and large, $\gamma$_SA = 20%). The results show that, independent of the density state, the cyclic resistance continuously decreases with an increase in α at the small $\gamma$_SA level, while it first decreases and then increases for both loose and dense sand at the moderate and large $\gamma$_SA levels.     

不排水循环荷载条件下胶结砂土宏微观力学性质离散元模拟研究

天然或人工胶结的存在能够提高砂土的抗液化能力,从宏微观尺度对其动力学性质进行研究具有重大意义.将已有的三维完整胶结接触模型引入到三维离散元程序中,对胶结砂土不排水循环三轴剪切试验进行三维离散元模拟,研究颗粒间胶结、循环应力比对离散元试样宏微观力学性质的影响.研究结果表明,胶结的存在能够抑制轴应变和孔压的发展,提高砂土的...     

砂土液化后再固结体变规律表征与离心模型试验验证

针对一定相对密度的饱和砂土,首先开展单元体K₀固结试验和振动液化试验研究,发现饱和砂土液化后体变规律受再沉积和再固结两种机制制约：其中再沉积部分与所受振动历史密切相关,尤其是液化触发后的应变历史,土骨架累积剪应变比越大、再沉积体变越大;而再固结部分受先期固结历史和循环振动历史影响显著,再固结曲线会沿原有正常固结曲线趋势发展,其稳定段再压缩指数比相同条件下的正常固结曲线的压缩指数稍大。据此提出了考虑先期固结和振动历史的砂土液化后体变模型和简化算法,将再沉积和再固结两者统一表达成再固结体变,并建议了再固结压缩指数和假设起始应力的确定方法。进一步开展了水平场地地震液化离心机模型试验,监测模型固结和振动液化过程的沉降,从模型尺度进一步揭示砂土液化后体变规律,并初步验证了本文模型与简化算法的有效性。     

循环荷载下滨海风积砂孔压发展规律试验研究

利用GDS动三轴试验系统,在不同的基准应变下对福建漳浦滨海风积砂施加不同幅值的等幅循环应变荷载,分析了滨海风积砂在循环应变作用下的孔压发展规律。试验结果表明:滨海风积砂的孔压在初始段迅速增长,之后循环应变幅值不同,孔压有不同的动力响应。小幅值作用下,过渡段大致为“S”发展趋势,后期试样结构崩溃,孔压值迅速达到围压值。密实砂抗液化能力随着基准应变的增大和循环应变幅值的减小而增大,但是中密砂受基准应变的影响很小。根据实验数据建立孔压增长对数模型,模拟结果与试验结果一致性较好。     

Behavior of Liquefied Sands Under Extremely Large Strain Levels in Cyclic Torsional Shear Tests

In order to study the cyclic behavior of liquefied sands at extremely large strain levels up to double amplitude shear strain of about 100%, a series of undrained cyclic torsional shear tests while keeping the specimen height constant was performed on saturated Toyoura sand under different densities, two kinds of in-situ frozen sandy samples and their reconstituted specimens. Due correction was made for the effect of membrane force on the measured shear stress. After exceeding a certain level of overall shear strain, the specimen deformation became non-uniform, which is called as “strain localization” in the present study. The initiation of such localization was associated with the changes in the cyclic amplitude of deviator stress and the increment of shear strain. In the case of Toyoura sand, the limiting value of shear strain to initiate strain localization was found to increase with decrease in the relative density, and such a trend was consistent with the empirical correlation of soil liquefaction when the relative density is higher than 30%. In the case of in-situ frozen sandy samples, their limiting shear strain values were smaller than those of the reconstituted specimens, suggesting that their soil structures were different from each other under different degrees of natural aging effects.     

饱和南京细砂初始液化后特大流动变形特性试验研究

针对地震中倾斜场地砂土液化流动大变形特征与机理,以具有明显片状颗粒结构特征的南京细砂为研究对象,采用了英国GDS公司的动态空心圆柱扭剪仪,开展了饱和南京细砂液化后特大流动变形特性的循环扭剪试验研究,主要分析了橡皮膜效应、有效围压、循环加载幅值和初始静剪应力等因素对南京细砂液化流动大变形特性的影响规律及其机理。试验结果表明:在其它条件不变时,随着有效围压增加,饱和南京细砂抗液化强度和抗单向液化流动累积变形强度都有所增加。当保持围压不变时,饱和南京细砂抗单向液化流动累积变形的强度有增加的趋势。随着初始静剪应力比的变大,南京细砂的抗液化和抗单向累积变形强度特征可以分为三个不同阶段。在无初始静剪应力条件下饱和南京细砂液化后仍以循环液化流动变形为主和单向流动累积变形为辅。但是,随着初始静剪应力比的增大,饱和南京细砂抗液化强度和抗单向液化流动累积变形强度明显降低,即主要发生单向液化流动累积变形破坏。当初始静剪应力比接近或超过循环动剪应力比时,饱和南京细砂的抗液化和抗单向流动累积变形的强度又明显增大,但仍以液化单向流动累积破坏为主。当初始静剪应力比继续增大到一定程度时,饱和南京细砂已经很难液化,其抵抗单向累积变形的强度也明显降低,主要原因应为此时试样发生的是塑性累积大变形破坏。同时,试验结果表明饱和南京细砂的液化后流动大变形特性也明显区别于含圆形颗粒为主的日本丰浦砂。     

Aging Effects on Small Strain Shear Moduli and Liquefaction Properties of in-situ Frozen and Reconstituted Sandy Soils

In order to investigate the effects of different geological ages on liquefaction properties of sandy deposits, a series of undrained cyclic triaxial tests was performed on three kinds of in-situ frozen and their reconstituted samples which were retrieved from Holocene (Tone-river sand) and Pleistocene (Edo-river B and C sands) deposits. The specimens were subjected to isotropic consolidation at a specified confining stress which is equivalent to the in-situ overburden stress at the depth of sampling, and small strain shear moduli were measured before and during the undrained cyclic loading tests. The liquefaction properties and the small strain shear moduli were affected by not only the natural aging effect of the specimen but also the inter-locking effect that was enhanced by applying drained cyclic loading before the undrained cyclic loading tests. During liquefaction, different tendencies of degradation in the small strain shear moduli which would reflect the aging effects of the specimen were observed between Tone-river Holocene sand and Edo-river B and C Pleistocene sands. The applicability of reconstituted samples as substitutes for in-situ frozen samples was confirmed with Tone-river Holocene sand that has no cementation effect between soil particles, whereas it seems difficult to simulate fully the liquefaction behaviour of Edo-river B and C Pleistocene sands which have higher cementation effect.     

Evaluation of post-liquefaction volumetric strain of reconstituted samples based on soil compressibility

In this study, we performed undrained cyclic–torsional–shear tests on clean and silty sands to examine post-liquefaction volumetric strain. Accordingly, we proposed a novel density index—ultimate volumetric strain—to evaluate the density of clean sand and silty soils; the proposed density index is based on soil compressibility. We discussed the test results with respect to relative density, skeleton void ratio, and ultimate volumetric strain. Consequently, we confirmed that ultimate volumetric strain showed good correlation with post-liquefaction volumetric strain irrespective of soil type, whereas values for relative density and skeleton void ratio were discordant. Further, we observed that, compared to maximum shear strain, accumulated shear strain was a better index for representing the effect of loading history. From these results therefore, we proposed a chart to evaluate post-liquefaction volumetric strain based on ultimate volumetric strain and accumulated shear strain.     

循环振动对饱和粉土初始动剪模量的影响

初始动剪模量是土体多种结构性因素的综合反映,除固结压力和孔隙比(密度)这两个主要因素外,还受循环振动影响。以往对该因素的研究偏重于干砂,且预振时施加的剪应变幅多低于10-3;对于饱和土体,尤其是对经受过较大振幅振动后土体初始动剪模量的研究十分有限。本文利用安装弯曲元的动三轴仪,在等向固结条件下对不同相对密度的饱和粉土进行不排水循环三轴试验,同时监测试样的剪切波速,获得循环动力加载过程中土的初始动剪模量。为保证试验结果的可靠性,同时进行了共振柱试验,比较确定弯曲元接收信号的到达点;评估了不同孔压发展程度下试验暂停时间对测试结果的影响。结果表明:在一定次数大振幅循环荷载作用下观察到初始动剪模量有别于相同应力下固结后得到的模量值,出现附加衰减或增长,正是循环荷载作用下土微观结构变化的外部宏观表现。这种附加变化由土颗粒接触行为决定,受到试样初始条件和振动幅值等多种因素的影响,表现出不同的变化模式。     

微生物处理砂土不排水循环三轴剪切CFD-DEM模拟

微生物诱导碳酸钙沉积是一种新型的地基处理技术,处理后的土体可以看成一种结构性土。首先,在已有三维含颗粒抗转动和抗扭转模型及三维胶结破坏准则的基础上,通过考虑颗粒碰撞接触过程中颗粒本身的塑性变形及率相关性的接触黏滞阻尼,建立考虑循环荷载作用下的三维胶结模型;然后,参考已有研究,建立了反硝化反应在加固砂土中的时效性关系。并引入CFD-DEM耦合程序,用以模拟分析不同胶结含量以及不同气泡含量下,微生物处理砂土在固结不排水循环剪切试验中的力学特性;最后,从宏微观角度分析生物胶结与生物气泡对砂土抗液化性能的影响及其作用机理。研究表明,胶结和气泡共同存在对抗液化能力的提升并没有起到“1+1=2”的效果;胶结的存在提高了非饱和砂土的抗液化能力,明显抑制孔压比和轴向应变的发展,力学配位数得到了提升;而气泡的存在却降低了胶结砂土的抗液化能力,使得胶结砂土达到初始液化的振次减少,轴向应变向受拉方向大幅增长,力学配位数下降明显。     

Comparison of Liquefaction-Induced Ground Deformation Between Results from Undrained Cyclic Torsional Shear Tests and Observations From Previous Model Tests and Case Studies

In order to investigate liquefaction-induced ground displacement, we conducted a series of undrained cyclic torsional shear tests on saturated Toyoura sand using a modified torsional apparatus capable of applying and measuring double amplitude shear strain up to about 100%. The limiting value of double amplitude shear strain, at which strain localization appears during undrained cyclic loading tests, was evaluated from the test results with reference to the change in the deviator stress during liquefaction. The limiting strain values, which increase with a decrease in the relative density of the specimen, were found to be consistent with the maximum amounts of liquefaction-induced ground displacement observed in the previous shaking table model tests and most of the relevant case studies. This feature is reasonable considering the reduction in the mobilized cyclic shear stress in liquefied soil due to the degradation of the shear resistance. As long as the liquefied soil layer remains in uniform deformation, these limiting strain values may be used in estimating the maximum amount of liquefaction-induced ground displacement.     

Liquefaction Resistances of Unsaturated Non-Plastic Silt

It has been pointed out that there are two possible mechanisms that enhance liquefaction resistances of unsaturated sand. The first mechanism is where air in a partially saturated sand mass plays a role of absorbing generated excess pore pressures by reducing its volume. Okamura and Soga (2005) derived the influential factors of the liquefaction resistance for partially saturated sand from theoretical consideration and effects of the factors were examined through a series of triaxial tests on a clean sand. They found a unique relationship between liquefaction resistance ratios and the potential volumetric strain, which allows the estimation of the liquefaction resistance for partially saturated sand. The second is the matric suction of unsaturated sand which increases the effective stress and thus the strength of the soil mass. In this study two series of cyclic triaxial tests on non-plastic silt were carried out to observe the liquefaction resistance in both mechanisms. In the first series, a top cap with an accumulator tank was used to study the effect of compressibility of pore fluid on the liquefaction resistance. The empirical relationship derived by Okamura and Soga is found to be valid even for the silt provided that the matric suction is negligible. In the second test series an ordinary cap was used. The liquefaction resistance increased linearly with the matric suction, with the increasing ratio being higher than that for the net stress. A unique linear relationship is found between the normalized liquefaction resistance and the matric suction. Results are summarized in the form which can be easily applied to evaluate the liquefaction resistance of a partially saturated soil.     

Liquefaction and post-liquefaction resistance of sand reinforced with recycled geofibre

The present study provides an insight into the effect of recycled carpet fibre on the mechanical response of clean sand as backfill material subjected to monotonic loading and cyclic loading as well as post-liquefaction resistance of both unreinforced and carpet fibre reinforced soils. To achieve these goals, a series of multi-stage soil element tests under cyclic loading event resulting in liquefaction followed by undrained monotonic shearing without excess pore water pressure dissipation as well as a series of monotonic undrained shear test is conducted. All the specimens are isotropically consolidated under a constant effective confining stress of 100 kPa by considering the effect of cyclic stress ratio and carpet fibre content ranging from 0.25% to 0.75%. The obtained results revealed the efficiency of carpet fibre inclusion in increasing the secant shear modulus and ductility of clean sand under monotonic shearing without previous loading history. The impact of carpet fibre inclusion on the trend of cyclic excess pore water pressure generation and cyclic stiffness degradation was minimal. However, adding carpet fibre significantly improved both liquefaction and post-liquefaction resistances of clean sand. The liquefaction resistance of clean sand, at a constant 15 loading cycles, improved by 26.3% when the soil was reinforced with 0.75% recycled carpet fibre. In addition, the initial shear modulus of the liquefied specimen significantly increased by adding recycled carpet fibre.