The Simplified Approach for Estimating Liquefaction-Induced Settlement Incorporating Viscous Models and Subgrade Reaction

Liquefaction plays a crucial role in the design of buildings constructed on liquefiable soils. One of the most challenging parts, which needs to be addressed during the design process, is estimating the liquefaction-induced settlement of buildings. Therefore, this paper presents a simplified approach to preliminarily estimate liquefaction-induced buildings settlement. The proposed approach relies on two key components: static displacement/modulus of subgrade reaction and a liquefaction parameter reduction parameter DE. To determine the liquefaction reduction parameter DE, a well-established viscous fluid model is employed to determine the evolution of settlement as liquefaction occurs. Once the settlement of buildings in the fully liquefied state is determined, the liquefaction reduction parameter is obtained by comparing vertical liquefied subgrade reaction/settlement to the static subgrade reaction/settlement of buildings in liquefied soil. Then, a series of charts for the liquefaction reduction parameter is proposed based on this procedure for different effect factors, such as dynamic viscosity, moist unit weight of liquefied soil, and foundation diameter. Overall, by utilizing the proposed approach, it offers a very straightforward method for assessing the extent of settlement of buildings caused by soil liquefaction and can be applicable in engineering practice.