Liquefaction Potential of Clayey Soils from Wenchuan Earthquake-Induced Landslides

Abstract

It is commonly considered that liquefaction of sandy soils is the important reason for earthquake-induced landslides,but it has been reported liquefaction phenomenon can also occur in clayey soils in the recent research. In order to clarify liquefaction potential in clayey soils ,a deeper study was conducted on the basis of field investigation and a series of laboratory tests including undrained cyclic ring-shear tests on the clayey soil samples collected from the sliding zone of the Wenchuan earthquake-induced landslides. Results show that the liquefaction potential of clayey soils is lower than that of sandy soils given the same void ratio; the soil resistance to liquefaction rises with an increase in plasticity for clayey soils; It is useful to estimate the liquefaction potential of soil by means of plasticity index and the liquefaction potential of soil in practical engineering applications.