The effect of preloading on the liquefaction cyclic strength of mixtures of sand and silt

• The effect of preloading on the liquefaction cyclic strength was investigated by cyclic shear tests.
• The effect of varying the fines content, the density and the vertical stresses and the pre-stress, was investigated.
• Test results showed a marked increase of the cyclic soil strength with the pre-stress ratio.
• Based on the test results, an empirical expression was proposed.
• This expression was validated by numerical simulation and field data.

The paper studies the effect of preloading on the liquefaction cyclic strength of silty sands in the free field condition. This effect first is investigated by cyclic shear tests where horizontal shear stress oscillated about a zero mean value. Samples with varying fines content and at varying pre-stress ratios, densities and vertical stresses are tested. Test results show a marked increase of the liquefaction cyclic strength with the pre-stress ratio. The effect is more pronounced for tests with less liquefaction cyclic strength without pre-stress. Using critical state soil mechanics concepts, factors simulating the effect of preloading on the liquefaction cyclic strength are identified and based on the results of the laboratory program an empirical expression is proposed predicting the increase in the liquefaction cyclic strength induced by pre-stress. This expression is validated by numerical simulation of the relevant laboratory tests using an elastoplastic multi-mechanism model. In addition, based on the derived expression, a methodology is proposed predicting the increase in liquefaction cyclic strength as a result of preloading in the field in the case of the free field condition. This methodology is validated by the comparison with field measurements on liquefaction-susceptible soils before and after the field application of preloading. Last but not least, the increase in liquefaction cyclic strength which the proposed methodology predicts for typical soil profiles and embankment preloads is predicted and discussed.