The liquefaction cycle and the role of drainage in liquefaction

In this work the liquefaction cycle is introduced as a framework to describe the coupled processes that take place in fluid-saturated granular media that lead to liquefaction. The modular formulation of liquefaction makes it possible to test the various processes that contribute to liquefaction separately, and to assemble different formulations of the relevant physics into a numerical model for liquefaction. This view on liquefaction is used here to assess the role of drainage in liquefaction. We present a simple scale analysis of the role of drainage. A numerical implementation of the liquefaction cycle shows, however, that the scale analysis is deceptive for the case when strong spatial variations in the permeability inhibit fluid migration. As an illustration the numerical model is used to quantify the imprint of a low-permeability layer on the liquefaction behavior.We greatly appreciate our conversations with Masami Nakagawa and Vaughan Griffiths about this work. The critical and constructive comments of two anonymous reviewers are very much appreciated. The visit of Annemieke van den Beukel to Golden was supported by the Molengraaff fonds, the Schuurman Schimmel van Outeren Stichting, the Stichting Dr. Hendrik Mullers Vaderlandsch Fonds, and the Trajectum Fonds.