Abstract
In this paper, the dynamic characteristics of a liquefiable silt substratum within the foundation soil of a reservoir dam in the Tianjin area are investigated by means of standard penetration resistance and dynamic triaxial tests. Properties including N-values, factors influencing liquefaction as a cyclic stress, consolidation pressure, structure, and particle composition are considered in this research. Parameters used to evaluate liquefaction potential are obtained through testing. A comprehensive program based on the Chinese code and standard for geological investigation (Ministry of Water Resources of China 1999a; Ministry of Construction of China 2001a) and Seed’s simplified method (Seed and Idriss 1971; in J Geotech Eng Div ASCE 109(3): 458–482, 1983) was carried out to evaluate the potential of liquefaction within the reservoir dam foundation. Liquefaction potentials were also assessed in response to the Chinese codes for seismic design (Hydropower Research Institute of China 2000; Ministry of Construction of China 2001b). The evaluation shows that saturated surface silt in the reservoir dam foundations is vulnerable to liquefaction at seismic intensities of VII and above. The two assessment methods are in good agreement with each other, and the research results can provide useful information for the safe construction and normal operation of the reservoir.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Chan KC (1981) Anelectropneumatic cyclic loading system. Geotech Test J 4(4):183–187
Chen HC, Du PF (2008) Potential ecological benefits of the middle route for the South–North Water Diversion project. Tsinghua Sci Technol 13(5):715–719
China Earthquake Administration (2001) Seismic ground motion parameter zonation map of China (GB18306–2001). Chinese Standard Press, Beijing (in Chinese)
Davis CA, Bardet JP (1996) Performance of two reservoirs during 1994 Northridge earthquake. J Geotech Eng 122(8):613–622
Finn WD (2002) State of the art for the evaluation of seismic liquefaction potential. Comput Geotech 29(5):329–341
Fu SC, Tatsuoka F (1984) Soil liquefaction during Haicheng and Tangshan earthquake in China: a review. Soils Found 24(4):11–29
Huang Y, Jiang XM (2010) Field-observed phenomena of seismic liquefaction and subsidence during the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake in China. Nat Hazards 54(3):839–850
Hydropower Research Institute of China (2000) Specifications for seismic design of hydraulic structures (DL 5073–2000). China Water Power Press, Beijing (in Chinese)
Marcuson WF III (1978) Definition of terms related to liquefaction. J Geotech Eng Div ASCE 104(9):1197–1200
Ministry of Construction of China (2001a) Code for investigation of geotechnical engineering (GB 50021–2001). China Building Industry Press, Beijing (in Chinese)
Ministry of Construction of China (2001b) Code for seismic design of buildings (GB 50011–2001). China Building Industry Press, Beijing (in Chinese)
Ministry of Water Resources of China (1999a) Code for water resources and hydropower engineering geological investigation (GB 50287–99). China Water Power Press, Beijing (in Chinese)
Ministry of Water Resources of China (1999b) Specification of soil test (SL237–1999). China Water Power Press, Beijing (in Chinese)
Polito CP, Martin JR (2001) Effects of nonplastic fines on the liquefaction resistance of sands. J Geotech Geoenviron Eng 127(5):408–415
Rezania M, Javadi AA, Giustolisi O (2010) Evaluation of liquefaction potential based on CPT results using evolutionary polynomial regression. Comput Geotech 37(1/2):82–92
Seed HB, Idriss IM (1971) Simplified procedure for evaluating soil liquefaction potential. J Soil Mech Found Div ASCE 97(9):1249–1273
Seed HB, Idriss IM, Arango I (1983) Evaluation of liquefaction potential using field performance data. J Geotech Eng Divi ASCE 109(3):458–482
Shao XJ, Wang H, Wang ZY (2003) Interbasin transfer projects and their implications: a China case study. Int J River Basin Manag 1(1):5–14
Wang LS, Ma CT (1999) A study on the environmental geology of the Middle Route Project of the South–North water transfer. Eng Geol 51(3):153–165
Xenaki VC, Athanasopoulos GA (2003) Liquefaction resistance of sand-silt mixtures: an experimental investigation of the effect of fines. Soil Dyn Earthq Eng 23(3):1–12
Xenaki VC, Athanasopoulos GA (2008) Dynamic properties and liquefaction resistance of two soil materials in an earthfill dam-Laboratory test results. Soil Dyn Earthq Eng 28(8):605–620
Youd TL, Holzer TL (1994) Piezometer performance at Wildlife liquefaction site, California. J Geotech Eng 120(6):975–995
Youd TL, Harp EL, Keefer DK, Wilson RC (1985) The Borah Peak, Idaho, earthquake of October 28, 1983-Liquefaction. Earthq Spectra 2(1):71–89
Acknowledgments
This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 41072202 and 40802070) and the Kwang-Hua Fund for the College of Civil Engineering, Tongji University.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Huang, Y., Zheng, H. & Zhuang, Z. Seismic liquefaction analysis of a reservoir dam foundation in the South–North Water Diversion project in China. Part I: Liquefaction potential assessment. Nat Hazards 60, 1299–1311 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-011-9910-9
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-011-9910-9