Abstract
Large lateral deformation in almost level liquefiable ground has been observed during past strong earthquakes, which cannot be explained by the same driving force as that in sloping ground. This study proposes a Rayleigh wave-shear wave coupling mechanism for this phenomenon, which is evaluated on the element and site levels. A simple element level elasto-plastic force–displacement model reveals that the combination of the symmetrical shear force with the asymmetrical shear resistance under Rayleigh wave-shear wave coupling can be a major contributor for the accumulation of lateral soil deformation. Finite element method numerical results for a site level ground model shows that Rayleigh wave-shear wave coupling can induce significantly greater lateral displacement compared to pure shear wave input, and further highlight the importance of soil liquefaction for this phenomenon. The amplitudes and frequencies of the shear wave and the Rayleigh wave and their phase difference are shown to affect the accumulation of lateral deformation. The findings of Rayleigh wave-shear wave coupling induced lateral deformation are consistent with observations in past earthquakes, and should be considered in geotechnical earthquake engineering.
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