Liquefaction of saturated sands and silty sands during seismic events has been responsible for many failures of civil engineering structures, resulting in high costs both in loss of life and property. In light of this, geotechnical engineers have investigated methods to evaluate the liquefaction potential of soil deposits. These studies have primarily focused on sands, as compared to silts and silty sands, although the latter materials are known to liquefy. Because of the variability and lack of repeatability often found in standard penetration test results, there has been a growing move toward other types of in situ tests for the evaluation of liquefaction potential. One of the most promising tools is the cone penetrometer. A major void in the state of knowledge for liquefaction evaluation of potential sites is the use of the cone penetrometer for assessing silty sand sites. This research program will investigate the use of a cone penetrometer in the evaluation of the liquefaction potential of sands and silty sands using both laboratory tests and calibration chamber tests. The work will be broken into two phases, with the first dealing with the issue of effects of fines, per se, on penetration resistance. The second will involve saturated silty sands. The senior principal investigator is internationally recognized for his research into the liquefaction of soils. The junior principal investigator is starting his career and displays the talent and aptitude necessary to contribute strongly to this project. Together they are highly qualified to undertake the research proposed, and they have available the necessary institutional facilities. This research program is very likely to make a significant contribution to determining in-situ the liquefaction potential of silty sands.
