Soil liquefaction, large ground deformation and earthquake resistant design of lifelines

ABSTRACT

The U.S.-Japan Research Program on soil liquefaction, large ground deformation, and earthquake resistant design of lifeline facilities focuses on the earthquake perfomance of vital systems, such as water supply, transportation, gas and liquid fuel, telecommunications, electric power, and wastewater conveyance and treatment. Emphasis is placed on liquefaction-induced soil movements and their effects on lifelines. There is recognition in the civil and earthquake engineering communities of the importance of large ground deformations, yet our understanding of the mechanisms of movement and our ability to predict magnitude and distribution of displacements are kimited and in need of substantial improvement. Permanent ground movements are known to have been the most troublesome source of subsurface structural damage during previous earthquakes. Both U.S. and Japanese researchers have coordinated their efforts to collect case history data and recommend analytical and design methods on the basis of a careful data review.(AU)