Framework of a performance-based design for liquefaction resistance

Abstract

Seismic liquefaction hazards remain a very challenging problem in geotechnical earthquake engineering and are one of the most important aspects currently to update the framework of the liquefaction resistance design from a performance-based perspective. In this paper, by investigating the characteristics of the seismic liquefaction hazard, as well as integrating the existing performance-based earthquake engineering (PBDEE) and advanced risk management theory, the connotation and key points of performance-based liquefaction hazard governance are proposed, and the framework of a performance-based design for liquefaction resistance (PBDLR) is constructed according to the technical system construction rules. The results indicate that the liquefaction hazard has its own characteristics in terms of the hitting target, hazard scale, occurrence mechanism, chain effect, treatment technology, and uncertainty of the influencing factors. Its technical system of hazard governance requires special consideration. The presented PBDLR integrates the advantages of both the advanced risk management theory and the existing performance-based earthquake engineering technology system, and the elements and structure consider the sociality of the target, the integrity of the function, the hierarchy of the composition, and the linkage of the elements and the completeness of the technology. The PBDLR takes the liquefaction hazard governance objective as the primary factor and performance analysis as the technical main body of the framework, and it is equipped with several new elements matching the characteristics of the liquefaction hazard and the requirements for the technical development of an anti-liquefaction design. The PBDLR presented in this paper can provide guidance and a reference for future research and technical development in liquefaction hazard governance.