Centrifuge study into the effect of liquefaction extent on permanent settlement and seismic response of shallow foundations

Centrifuge experiments were conducted to investigate how the liquefaction extent affects the seismic and post-seismic settlement of shallow foundations resting on saturated sand. Two rigid foundations with different bearing pressures were placed on the ground surface in a model container. Multiple input motions were applied to achieve different extents of soil liquefaction. The results indicate that foundation settlement can be divided into three distinct phases: (I) during shaking, (II) during the time period after shaking has ceased and before soil reconsolidation in the shallowest layers has taken place, and (III) during soil reconsolidation. Contrary to the free-field ground, most of the total settlement of the foundations occurred before soil reconsolidation, i.e., during Phases I and II. The volumetric strain during these phases was not significant as opposed to the shear strain produced by the foundation surcharge. It was demonstrated that foundation settlement is not necessarily proportional to the liquefied depth of the sand. The extent of the liquefaction in the sand medium mostly affected the post-seismic settlement of the foundations, while the co-seismic settlement was relatively the same for both foundations. The response of the foundations was significantly influenced by the liquefaction extent, whereas the foundations did not experience large accelerations when the soil profile was entirely liquefied. However, the foundations tolerated large settlement under severe liquefaction conditions. The results of this study highlight the role of the liquefaction extent on co-seismic and post-seismic settlement as well as the seismic response of shallow foundations.