Predictions of seismic response for sheet-pile wall in liquefiable deposit within LEAP 2022 using the CycLiq constitutive model

Abstract

The Liquefaction Experiments and Analysis Projects (LEAP) organized centrifuge tests and corresponding numerical predictions for the seismic response of sheet-pile wall in liquefiable deposits in 2022. Within LEAP 2022, two versions of the CycLiq constitutive model, i.e., the original (CycLiq) and modified (CycLiq-M) versions, were calibrated and used for numerical predictions. CycLiq-M was first calibrated using cyclic direct simple shear (CDSS) element tests on the test material, Ottawa F65 sand, and then used for Type-A predictions of another set of CDSS tests for which the results were priorly unknown, validating the model's performance at the element level. Type-B predictions of centrifuge shaking table model tests on sheet-pile wall in liquefiable deposit was then performed using both versions of the calibrated model, without prior knowledge of test results. The results show that the properly calibrated CycLiq model can make reasonable predictions for soil acceleration, excess pore pressure, settlement, and especially sheet-pile wall displacement. In particular, the CycLiq-M version with enhanced cyclic resistance simulation capability exhibits significant improvement in prediction accuracy. Using numerical simulation, the influence of soil-container friction in centrifuge model tests was assessed.