The liquefaction of soil below the water table is a major cause of damage to constructed facilities during an earthquake. The present methods for analyzing the liquefaction potential of soils is entirely empirical. By contrast, this research program involves the formulation of a boundary value problem and its solution via numerical computer methods to describe the liquefaction process. It is a very challenging analytical, computational, and experimental program. However, the principal investigators are individually recognized for their research accomplishments, and together form a team which has the expertise and institutional resources to complete the research proposed. The completion of the research will represent a fundamental advance in the ability to predict the liquefaction potential of soils.
