A simplified numerical approach for lateral spreading evaluation

Abstract

Recent developments underwent in the last decades in both numerical methods as well as computer technology to be applied for solving geotechnical earthquake engineering problems, such as liquefaction and its related effects has allowed using rigorous modeling techniques more often in engineering practice, including finite differences and finite element. However, for the particular case of estimation of liquefaction–induced lateral displacements in large areas, it is cumbersome to perform detailed numerical analyses involving 2–D and 3–D models. Therefore, it is common to resort to statistical estimations or even to predictions obtained with neurofuzzy systems. In this paper, an alternative practice–oriented numerical approach is explored. The dynamic response of a soil profile is simulated by means of one dimensional finite elements coupled to a pore pressure generation scheme. The equation of motion is solved in the time domain and based on each pore pressure increment, both the shear strength and the dynamic soil parameters are modified, allowing estimations of soil displacements that occur during the dynamic event. The proposed formulation is applied to analyze several study cases for various earthquakes where actual lateral displacements measurements were available.