The influence of various parameters of physical and mechanical properties on susceptibility to liquefaction of sandy soils

Abstract

On September 30, 2009, there was liquefaction in the sandy soils around the coast of Padang city, which was triggered by an earthquake measuring 7.6 SR. Liquefaction causes land subsidence and lateral displacement of many buildings in Padang. The level of liquefaction vulnerability of Padang city is in the moderate zone based on qualitative methods; on the contrary, quantitative methods obtained a very high level of vulnerability to liquefaction. Based on this, quantitative methods by conducting geotechnical investigations in the field and laboratory tests are needed to determine the liquefaction potential. This study aims to determine the potential for liquefaction using quantitative methods based on testing the physical properties and mechanical properties of sandy soils in the laboratory. The standard for laboratory testing is the Indonesian National Standard (SNI), and soil sampling was carried out in seventeen areas. The results of the physical and mechanical properties, i.e., relative density (Dr), the particle size of the soil, and internal friction angle, showed that the sandy soils along the coast in Padang are poorly graded sand (SP). The sandy soils are dominated by fine sand with a very loose consistency, which has potential liquefaction.