The initial wave induced failure of silty seabed: Liquefaction or shear failure. (15th March 2020) - Ren, Yupeng
Abstract: A silty seabed can be destabilized in two ways under wave loading: by liquefaction or shear failure. In this paper, the wave-induced initial failure mode of a silty seabed under different consolidation conditions is studied using flume experiments. Through a comparison of the pore water pressure, initial failure, and liquefaction development patterns in a relatively soft and dense seabed, it is found that liquefaction is responsible for the initial failure of the soft seabed, while shear failure is responsible for the initial failure of the dense seabed. Liquefaction progresses from the surface and gradually downward in the soft seabed, but it propagates from the interface where the shear failure occurs in the dense seabed. Highlights: Real-time monitoring of pore pressure in different layers of soil during the test. Two flume tests were designed to study the initial failure mode of seabed under wave. The initial failure mode of the seabed under wave relates to its consolidation state. Wave loading can cause shear failure for flat bed.