Analysis of a Lateral Spreading Case History from the 2007 Pisco, Peru Earthquake

On August 15, 2007, Pisco, Peru was hit by an earthquake of Magnitude (Mw) = 8.0 which triggered multiple liquefaction induced lateral spreads. The subduction earthquake lasted for approximately 100 seconds and showed a complex rupture. From the geotechnical perspective, the Pisco earthquake was significant for the amount of soil liquefaction observed. A massive liquefaction induced seaward displacement of a marine terrace was observed in the Canchamana complex. Later analysis using the pre- and post-earthquake images showed that the lateral displacements were concentrated only on some regions. Despite the lateral homogeneity of the marine terrace, some cross-sections showed large displacements while others had minimal displacements. The detailed documentation of this case-history makes it an ideal case-study for the determination of the undrained strength of the liquefied soils; hence, the main objective of this research is to use the extensive data from the Canchamana Slide to estimate the shear strength of the liquefied soils. In engineering practice, the undrained strength of liquefied soil is typically estimated by correlating SPT-N values to: 1) absolute value of residual strength, or 2) residual strength ratio. Our research aims to contribute an important data point that will add to the current understanding of the residual strength of liquefied soils.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Civil Engineering

Department dc:contributor.department

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Tech

Year dc:date.issued

2013

Author dc:creator

• Gangrade, Rajat Mukesh

Chair dc:contributor.committeechair

• Rodriguez-Marek, Adrian

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Dove, Joseph E.
• Green, Russell A.

• Lateral Spreading
• Slope Stability Analysis
• Bayesian Updating

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Dc Identifier Other

vt_gsexam:1308

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/23257