What is Soil Liquefaction? Causes and Importance

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Soil liquefaction is the phenomenon in which the stiffness and the strength of the soil are lost under the action of earthquake force or due to rapid loading conditions. Soil liquefaction occurs in a fully saturated soil.

Principle and Causes of Liquefaction

The soil in normal condition is closely packed to each other. The soil particles are closely packed due to the contact forces of each particle. This tight packing contributes to the soil strength. When the soil is in the saturated condition, the pores and the soil are fully filled with water. These water molecules present in the soil exerts pressure on the neighboring particles. The water pressure exerted by these water molecules increases with rapid load action or earthquake forces. During liquefaction, the water pressures become high enough to counteract the gravitational pull on the soil particles. This is explained in figure-1 and figure-2 below. The figure-1(a) shows the soil particles present in the unexcited state. The blue column in the right shows the magnitude of pore water pressure in the soil sample. The figure-1(b) shows the forces that are created between the soil particles during their interaction. The figure-2 shows the soil condition at an elevated water pressure. Here, the soil is said to be in a completely saturated condition where the increased water pressure makes the soil grains to "float" as shown in figure-2. This floating activity decreases the interaction between the soil grains. This promotes the properties of liquefaction. The occurrence of liquefaction is the result of rapid load application and break down of the loose, saturated sand and the loosely-packed individual soil particles. Under the action of earthquake force or rapid loading condition, there is no time to completely squeeze out the pore water within the soil. Instead of being squeezed out, the soil particles are prevented from moving closer to each other. This increases the water pressure within the soil system. This water pressure created is very high compared to the contact forces within the soil particles. This softens and weakens the soil deposit. Other than the earthquake and large load actions, the liquefaction of soil can be happened due to construction practices like blasting, vibroflotation, and dynamic compaction.

Effects of Liquefaction

Liquefaction phenomenon can result in many effects in the soil and the structures. They are:

1. Sand Boiling

When liquefaction occurs below the surface that is fully compacted, the water pressure below the surface makes the water to break out like a bubble. These come out as boiling water. This is called as sand boiling.

2. Damage to offshore structures

Liquefaction is common in soil that is submerged. These conditions cause huge damage for the bridge construction, structures supporting submerged soil deposits.

3. Failure of Dams and Retaining Walls

The soils supporting Dams and Retaining walls undergoes liquefaction, which results in the collapse of these structures. As the structures lose the ability to control the huge water it further results in floods that are uncontrollable.

4. Surface Landslides

The failure of water carrying bodies can result in surface landslides.

5. Failure of Structures under Earthquake

Liquefaction followed by earthquake forces make the structures to lose its stability. They can either split or lean bringing complete collapse of the structure. Past earthquake records have shown a huge failure of building structures due to liquefaction. These hazards do not provide enough time for evacuation that it results in a huge loss of life and property. Read More: Effect of Soil Liquefaction on Pile Foundation

Importance of Soil Liquefaction

After Liquefaction, the soil no longer behaves as an inactive grid of particles. The strength and stiffness of the liquefied soil are significantly decreased, often resulting in a variety of structural failures.H ence, a liquefied ground is no longer considered stable and fit for construction of structures. It has no ability to take even its self-weight nor weight of structures above. The building structures constructed over such a deposit type lean and fall as shown in figure-4 below. Hence it is very necessary to know the importance of the study of liquefaction so that adequate precaution is taken before construction. Understanding the liquefaction chances of the soil helps to decide what treatment method is to be chosen to make the soil liquefaction free. This hence helps to have stronger and safer construction of the structure.

Methods of Reducing Soil Liquefaction Hazards

There are basically three methods of reducing liquefaction hazards:

1. By Avoiding Liquefaction Susceptible Soils

Construction  on liquefaction susceptible soils is to be avoided. It is required to characterize the soil at a particular building site according to the various criteria available to determine the liquefaction potential of the soil in a site

2. Build Liquefaction Resistant Structures 

In certain situations, the construction over a land which shows the chances of liquefaction are not avoidable. Hence, foundation structures constructed must be designed such a way to resist the effects of liquefaction. The major reasons for constructing structures over liquefiable soil are space restrictions, favorable conditions, and other reasons.

3. Improve the Soil

This involves mitigation of the liquefaction hazards by improving the strength, density and drainage characteristics of the soil. This can be done using a variety of soil improvement techniques. Read More: Soil Stabilization Methods