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Numerical investigation into the effects of geometrical and loading parameters on lateral spreading behavior of liquefied layer

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Abstract

Numerical simulation of liquefaction-induced lateral spreading in gently sloped sandy layers requires fully coupled dynamic hydro-mechanical analysis of saturated sandy soil subjected to seismic loading. In this study, a fully coupled finite element model utilizing a critical-state two-surface-plasticity constitutive model has been applied to numerically investigate the effects of surface/subsurface geometry on lateral spreading. Using a variable permeability function with respect to excess pore pressure ratio is another distinctive feature of the current study. The developed code has been verified against the results of the well-known VELACS project. Lateral spreading phenomenon has been the focus of an extensive parametric study using the developed code. Numerical modeling of three different geometrical forms of surface and subsurface of liquefiable layer indicates that the amount and direction of lateral spreading are noticeably affected by the geometrical conditions. Also, parametric studies by the developed numerical model show that the effects of layer height, maximum ground acceleration, and loading frequency on the level of lateral spreading are significantly different for the examined geometrical condition.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Civil Engineering Department, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran

    Ali Pak & Sahand Seyfi

  2. Civil Engineering Department, Qazvin Islamic Azad University, Qazvin, Iran

    Ali Ghassemi

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  1. Ali Pak
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  2. Sahand Seyfi
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  3. Ali Ghassemi
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Correspondence to Ali Pak.

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Pak, A., Seyfi, S. & Ghassemi, A. Numerical investigation into the effects of geometrical and loading parameters on lateral spreading behavior of liquefied layer. Acta Geotech. 9, 1059–1071 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11440-013-0248-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11440-013-0248-1

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