Polymer Injection and Liquefaction-Induced Foundation Settlement Mitigation: A Shake Table Testing Investigation

Abstract

A shake table testing program is conducted at the University of California, San Diego, to assess the potential of the polymer injection technique in remediating liquefaction induced foundation settlement. A large laminar soil container placed on a shake table is employed. Emphasis is placed on mitigating the liquefaction-induced settlement of a shallow foundation supported over a large saturated liquefiable stratum. In a series of two shake table tests, the system response is studied first without, and subsequently with polymer injected into the liquefiable stratum. Base excitation is imparted, resulting in liquefaction and excessive foundation settlement in the benchmark experiment. In the second test, after injection of an expansive polymer, a major reduction is observed in the resulting foundation settlement, tendency for pore pressure buildup and associated soil softening. This testing program is a first of its kind and offers insight into the behavior of liquefiable ground remediated by the polymer injection technique.