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CPT-based liquefaction resistance of clean and silty sands: a drainage conditions based approach

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Abstract

The cone penetration test-based simplified liquefaction triggering evaluations are largely based on linking liquefaction manifestations in the field to cone penetration resistance. These relationships are interpreted in such a way that for given penetration resistance, the liquefaction resistance increases as non-plastic fines content (FC) increases. However, several studies have indicated discrepancies in this relationship. Hence, there is a lag in rational scientific understanding of this observation. In this study, an experimental research program was undertaken to investigate the CPT-based liquefaction assessment by considering the effects of drainage conditions on the relationship between CPT resistance and liquefaction resistance. First, clean sand and silty sands having 5, 15, and 35% FC were tested at different relative densities by stress-controlled cyclic direct simple shear (CDSS) tests to investigate cyclic resistance of silty sand with varying amounts of non-plastic fines. Then, a set of tests involving piezocone penetration (CPTu), seismic CPTu (SCPTu), and direct push permeability (DPPT) were undertaken in a large-scale box filled with the same soils used in the CDSS tests. The large-scale test results quantified the effect of drainage conditions (coefficient of consolidation) on cone penetration resistance. Finally, by combining the CDSS and CPTu test results, an alternative CPT-based liquefaction resistance relationship was proposed by considering the effects of drainage conditions.

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Correspondence to Nurhan Ecemis.

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The authors declare that no funds, grants, or other support were received during the preparation of this manuscript. The authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose. All authors contributed to the study conception and design. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.” The datasets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Ecemis, N., Monkul, M.M., Tütüncü, Y.E. et al. CPT-based liquefaction resistance of clean and silty sands: a drainage conditions based approach. Bull Earthquake Eng 20, 7957–7980 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10518-022-01501-0

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