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Nonlinear Site Response and Liquefaction Analysis in the New Madrid Seismic Zone

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Abstract

Many existing highway bridges in the New Madrid Seismic Zone are located in the Mississippi Embayment, consisting of deep soil deposits and liquefaction susceptible near surface soils. It is important to understand the comprehensive impact of deep soil deposits and liquefaction on the response of the bridge foundations under seismic loading. A nonlinear soil model is then presented to study the impacts of the deep soil deposit and liquefaction on response analysis. The soil model has the advantage of using input parameters that can be obtained from conventional field and laboratory testing methods, which makes it attractive to engineering practice. The model calibrations used field recorded motions and laboratory test data, which indicate that the model provides an acceptable outcome based on simple input parameters. The model is implemented into the site response analysis for a typical Missouri highway bridge site in this seismic zone. The effect of the deep soil deposit and liquefaction on the site response analyses is discussed.

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Acknowledgments

Financial support for this research was provided by the Federal Highway Administration (Cooperative Agreement DTFH61-02-X-00009). The writers would also like to acknowledge the contributions of Dr. S. Prakash, Dr. G. Chen and Dr. M. El-Engebawy, of the Missouri University of Science and Technology and Dr. R. Herrmann, of St. Louis University, and Dr. B. Jeremic, of the University of California, Davis.

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  1. Black & Veatch Corporation, 11401 Lamar Avenue, Overland Park, KS, 66211, USA

    Wei Zheng

  2. Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, MO, 65409, USA

    Ronaldo Luna

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  1. Wei Zheng
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  2. Ronaldo Luna
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Correspondence to Ronaldo Luna.

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Zheng, W., Luna, R. Nonlinear Site Response and Liquefaction Analysis in the New Madrid Seismic Zone. Geotech Geol Eng 29, 463–475 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10706-011-9396-y

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