NEHRP Clearinghouse
- Title
- Probabilistic Evaluation of Liquefaction Potential.
- File
- PB92143429.pdf
- Author(s)
- Hwang, H. H. M.; Lee, C. S.
- Source
- November 25, 1991, 87 p.
- Abstract
- A probabilistic method for evaluating liquefaction potential is presented, using as an example a site at President Island, near Memphis, Tennessee and the New Madrid seismic zone. In this method the liquefaction potential of a soil layer is estimated by using the factor of safety F = R/L, where L is the shear stress ratio and R is the resistance shear ratio. Combined with the depth and thickness of each liquefied layer, F yields Iwasaki's (1982) liquefaction potential index, P. By including uncertainties in a variety of site parameters, 81 earthquake-site models are established. Given a moment magnitude, these earthquake-site models will yield probabilities of the occurrence of liquefaction of varying degrees of severity. Repetition of this procedure with varying moment magnitudes will permit construction of a liquefaction potential probability matrix and fragility curves. The proposed method incorporates local site conditions and regional seismicity and can easily be made to accommodate uncertainties in seismic and site parameters.
- Keywords
- Probability theory; Stochastic analysis; Statistical analysis; Seismic waves; Memphis County (Tennessee); Dynamic response; Earthquake engineering; Shear stress; Liquefaction; Soil pressure; Nonlinear systems; Soil mechanics; Earthquakes