Evaluation Method for the Liquefaction Potential Using the Standard Penetration Test Value Based on the CPTU Soil Behavior Type Index

Taking the project of the Su-xin highway treated by using the resonant compaction method as the reference, a new method for the evaluation of liquefaction potential is proposed based on the piezocone penetration test (CPTU) and the standard penetration test (SPT). The soil behavior type index (I_c) obtained from CPTUs and the standard penetration test index (N_63.5), obtained from SPTs, are analyzed for saturated silty sand and silt. The analysis result reveals a linear relationship betweenN_63.5andI_c, given by_N63.5=−18.8_Ic+52.0. The larger the value ofI_cis, the greater the viscosity of soil is, and the smaller the value ofN_63.5is. According to the method, liquefaction assessment of saturated silty sand and silt foundation can be conducted by usingN_63.5based on the Code of Seismic Design of Building.N_63.5is expressed by a singleI_c, which is calculated from the CPTU data. Compared with existing evaluation methods, this method can provide continuous standard penetration test values, moreover, this method involves a simple calculation, and the results obtained using the method are reliable.

This creative work has been published under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC-BY 4.0) license which allows copying, and redistribution as well as adaptation of the original work provided appropriate credit is given to the original author and the conditions of the license are met.