Laboratory Study on the Liquefaction Properties of the Saturation Structural Loess

Abstract

The structural property is an important influence factor in loess liquefaction, which contains the interaction between the soil granules. According to study by Gao, the loess could be divided into three types as weak cemented loess, half cemented loess and cemented loess based on the grain composition, the consolidation and the weather conditions of the loess when it formed. In this paper, based on microstructure test and dynamic triaxial test of the loess from the Loess Plateau region, liquefaction properties of structural loess was analyzed. The results show that: (1) the structural strength of loess of weak cementing type, half cementing type and cementing type increases in order, and so does the liquefaction strength, (2) the change mechanism of different structural loess’s dynamic strain during liquefying is different, (3) the change of saturation loess’s pore water pressure during liquefying is related to the type of pore and the structural strength.