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Mechanics of origin of flow liquefaction instability under proportional strain triaxial compression

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Abstract

We define a flow liquefaction potential for determining flow liquefaction susceptibility during proportional strain triaxial compression . The flow liquefaction potential is a function of inconsistency between the natural dilative tendency of the soil and the imposed dilatancy during proportional strain triaxial compression. It helps us analyze why given the right conditions, a loose soil that contracts during drained triaxial compression and liquefies under undrained triaxial compression may be stable under proportional strain triaxial compression. Conversely, we also use the flow liquefaction potential to analyze why a dense soil that dilates during drained triaxial compression and is stable under undrained triaxial compression may liquefy under proportional strain triaxial compression. The undrained loose case is a special case of proportional strain triaxial compression under which a soil can liquefy. The central objective of this paper was to investigate the origins of flow liquefaction instability. Hence, we also analyze stress evolution during proportional strain triaxial compression and discuss the mechanics of the test leading up to flow liquefaction instability. We arrive at a necessary precursor for instability, which can serve as a warning sign for flow liquefaction instability, while the soil is still stable. The precursor is not a condition of sufficiency and should also not be confused with the onset of instability itself. The same loading must be applied continuously to induce flow liquefaction instability. The current progress is encouraging and facilitates a deeper understanding of origin of flow liquefaction instabilities.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge the help provided by S.A. Galindo-Torres in running the simulations.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Engineering and Applied Science, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA

    Utkarsh Mital & José E. Andrade

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  1. Utkarsh Mital
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  2. José E. Andrade
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Correspondence to José E. Andrade.

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Mital, U., Andrade, J.E. Mechanics of origin of flow liquefaction instability under proportional strain triaxial compression. Acta Geotech. 11, 1015–1025 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11440-015-0430-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11440-015-0430-8

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