Effects of Non-plastic Fines on Liquefaction Resistance of Sandy Soils

Abstract

The effects of non-plastic fines on the liquefaction resistance of sandy soils are examined using results from laboratory studies and re-interpretation of well-known SPT-based criteria. Given that fines significantly affect both the density of sand-fines mixes and penetration resistance of sandy soils, one of the key problems in the evaluation of the influence of fines on sand behaviour is establishing a common basis for comparison of clean sands and sands with fines. Effects of fines on the liquefaction resistance of fines-containing sands observed in laboratory tests are first presented using three different density measures as a basis for comparison. In the second part of the paper, conventional SPT-based criteria for liquefaction resistance are re-interpreted and presented in a form allowing direct evaluation of the influence of fines on the liquefaction resistance. The paper shows that the effects of fines on liquefaction resistance observed in the laboratory and those derived from field-based correlations are consistent.