Comparison of sand liquefaction in cyclic triaxial and simple shear tests

Abstract

The liquefaction resistance and correction factors Kσ and Kα of Nakdong River sand obtained from cyclic triaxial (CTX) tests were compared with those determined by cyclic simple shear (CSS) tests to ascertain the importance of the reduction factor Cr and correction factors Kσ and Kα in liquefaction evaluations, especially in view of the lack of comparative liquefaction assessments based on different laboratory test apparatuses. All samples used for the comparisons were obtained from the same type of sand by using similar preparation methods and they were subjected to similar stress states to minimize the number of factors influencing the comparison results; moreover, the apparatuses used in the two tests were manufactured by the same company and all tests were conducted by a single operator. It was found that the liquefaction resistance in CTX tests was always greater than that in CSS tests. Furthermore, Cr varied from 0.63 to 0.36, and it depended on the relative density Dr and initial static shear ratio α. Kσ, which increased with the normal effective stress σ′nc in CTX tests, was identical to Kσ observed in CSS tests when α was increased up to 0.1. By contrast, Kα in the CSS tests was 58%–97% of Kα measured in the CTX tests, and it depended on the combined effect of Dr, σ′nc, and α. The relationship between Kα and α in both CTX and CSS tests was well represented by a parabolic function. Moreover, the differences in Kα values between the CTX and CSS tests were also found to be a parabolic function of α. This information can be used for converting CTX (or CSS) values into equivalent CSS (or CTX) values.