Experimental and conceptual evidence about the limitations of shear wave velocity to predict liquefaction

In this paper, laboratory test results are presented in order to demonstrate the significant way in which OCR (overconsolidation ratio) affects both shear wave velocity and liquefaction resistance. While Vs is insensitive to OCR, the liquefaction resistance increases significantly with OCR. In addition, the experimental results also confirm that Vs correlates linearly with void ratio, regardless of the maximum and minimum void ratios, which means that Vs is unable to give information about the relative density. Therefore, if shear wave velocity is used to predict liquefaction potential, it is recommended that the limitations presented in this paper be taken into account.