Numerical methods for deformation analysis of liquefiable soils

Abstract

Deformation induced by liquefaction during an earthquake is one of the leading causes for damage to soils and foundations. Because of the significant reduction of the shear strength and shear modulus of post-liquefaction soils, lateral spread can develop from small deformation to the flow failure stage where the phase of the liquefied soils changes from solid to fluid. In this paper, two numerical methods are introduced: the finite element method (FEM) and the smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) method. For the initial stage of small deformation of liquefaction, the FEM based on solid mechanics can accurately simulate the soil behavior. For the flow stage of liquefaction deformation, the SPH method in the framework of fluid dynamics is more suitable because the mechanical and deformation properties in the flow stage are similar to that of a viscous fluid. In this paper, recent advances in the field of liquefaction deformation analysis using the FEM and SPH methods are introduced, as a basis for future research.