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Chapter 16: Problem 8

The letters following each Review Question refer to the corresponding Learning Objective from the Chapter Opener. How can ground shaking cause fairly solid layers of sand or mud to become weak slurries capable of flowing? (D)

Short Answer

Expert verified
Liquefaction occurs when ground shaking causes water-saturated, loosely packed soil to lose strength and stiffness, leading to increased pore water pressure and reduced contact forces between soil particles. This results in a weak slurry-like state, which can flow and cause damage to structures and infrastructure. The process typically happens in areas with high water tables and loose, water-saturated soils, such as near rivers or coasts, and can be detrimental during events like earthquakes.

Step by step solution

01

Understand Liquefaction

Liquefaction is a process where the strength and stiffness of a soil mass are reduced by shaking or other rapid changes in applied stress. This usually occurs in soils that are saturated with water, like sand or mud. When the ground shakes, the soil particles rearrange themselves and the water tends to move upwards, which increases the pore water pressure and, thus, decreases the soil's strength.
02

Examine the Soil Conditions

Liquefaction typically occurs in loosely packed, water-saturated soil, so there must be two conditions for this phenomenon to occur: soil with a lot of spaces between its particles and soil that is saturated with water. These conditions can be found in areas near rivers, coastal areas, or where the water table is high.
03

Consider the Ground Shaking

When the ground shakes (due to an earthquake, for example), the vibrations cause the soil particles to rearrange themselves. In areas where the soil is water-saturated and loosely packed, the shaking increases the pore water pressure, reducing the contact forces that hold the soil particles together, giving the soil the appearance of a weak slurry.
04

Observe the Liquefaction Process

As the ground shakes and the pore water pressure increases, the soil's strength and stiffness decrease, resulting in a condition where the soil behaves more like a liquid than a solid. This change in behavior causes the soil to lose its support capacity, and any structures built on it may sink or collapse. Additionally, the now-liquefied soil can "flow," leading to landslides or lateral spreading on slopes.
05

Analyze the Effects of Liquefaction

Liquefaction can prove disastrous for structures such as buildings, roads, and bridges, as it can lead to their failure or collapse. In addition, the flow of liquefied soil can damage underground utilities such as pipelines and cables. Proper soil investigations and geotechnical engineering can help identify susceptible areas and guide the design of earthquake-resistant structures in such locations.

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