Correlation between Shear Wave Velocity and Liquefaction Resistance for Sandy Soils with A Shearing History Using Cyclic Tri-axial Tests

Many serious disasters induced by ground liquefaction were reported in earthquakes with multiple shocks recently. The level of damage was considered because the liquefaction resistance changed with the pre-shearing from these shocks. Velocity of shear wave with small strain was used as an index for assessing liquefaction resistance because it is also influenced by similar factors as liquefaction resistance in soils. The effects of shearing history on the liquefaction resistance was discussed in this study. Cyclic tri-axial apparatus with bender elements was assembled to conduct the laboratory tests. Saturated sand was prepared as the test material. Both shear wave velocity and changes of liquefaction resistance were investigated during test process. The results indicated that shear wave velocity can be used to evaluate the liquefaction resistance and assess the effects from pre-shearing in sand. However, the correlation was influenced by initial relative density and stress state.