Three-dimensional dynamic behaviour of embankments on liquefiable ground. Issue 1 (2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Watanabe, K.; Zafar, A.; Tomita, M.; Nishikouri, K.
• Is Part Of: Géotechnique letters. Volume 12:Issue 1(2022)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 5
• Publication Date: 2021
• Subjects: embankments -- liquefaction -- model tests; Geotechnical engineering -- Periodicals; Engineering geology -- Periodicals; 624.151
• DOI: 10.1680/jgele.21.00040
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2045-2543

Abstract

Abstract : There has been serious damage to embankments on liquefied ground due to large earthquakes. To understand such damage process, two-dimensional shaking table model tests have been usually performed, in both gravitational and centrifugal fields, to investigate the dynamic behaviour and residual displacement of embankments on liquefiable ground. In recent years, three-dimensional (3D) numerical analysis has been used in practical design to consider dynamic behaviours of 3D embankments on liquefiable ground. However, there are only a limited number of cases in which the applicability of 3D analysis has been validated based on comparisons with data measured at model tests or actual disasters. Therefore, in this study, a series of shaking table tests were conducted to investigate the seismic behaviour of a 3D embankment on liquefiable ground. In addition, the effect of the shaking direction on the seismic behaviour of the embankment was evaluated. The experiment revealed that the residual deformation and its dominant direction were significantly affected by the 3D shape and total weight of the embankment, not by the shaking direction. This result indicates that the influence of the 3D shape of the embankment on the deformation behaviour cannot be ignored, and that the influence should be properly evaluated in seismic design.