The liquefaction potential of the upper quaternary sands of the Cape Flats, Western Cape, South Africa

Abstract

Liquefaction of saturated cohesionless soils as a result of earthquake-induced ground shaking is a major concern for structures constructed within or on these soils. During an earthquake, shear waves propagate through the ground, generating shear stresses and strains that are cyclic in nature, causing the soil grains to rearrange into a denser state of packing. This process is too rapid for drainage to occur, which results in an increase in pore water pressure and a decrease in effective stress and shear resistance of the soil. The occurrence of a seismic event associated with the Milnerton Fault line extending below the Cape Flats, a low-lying sand-covered area connecting the Cape Peninsula with the southwestern Cape mainland of South Africa, can cause extensive damage to the largely inadequate infrastructure characterising the area. To evaluate the susceptibility of Cape Flats sand to undergo liquefaction during and after a seismic event, the empirical SPT-based method put forth by Idriss & Boulanger (2004) was used to assess the cyclic liquefaction potential of dense, dilative sands, whereas the CPT-based method published by Robertson (2016) was used to assess the volumetric response of the sands during undrained shear. Resistance of the Cape Flats sands to liquefy at probable earthquake moment magnitude and acceleration values of M = 6.0 and amax = 0.15 g respectively, was noted. Robertson's normalised Soil Behaviour Type (SBTn) chart revealed mostly dilative sands and silty sands susceptible to cyclic liquefaction. Loose, contractive sands prone to flow liquefaction are present, although limited in occurrence and extent.