Earthquake is the one of the most destructive nature hazards in China. We aim to reduce the seismic hazards from the perspective of geotechnical engineering. The related researches include the dynamic properties of soil especially the Shanghai soft clay, the ground accumulated deformation under multi-directional earthquake, soli liquefaction, and soil-structure (particularly the infrastructure) interactions during the earthquake. 

 

Objective: 

 

1. To better understand and evaluate the soil behavior under earthquake and proposed related models for anti-seismic design

 

2. To establish appropriate calculation method for soil-structure interactions during earthquake.

Approach: 

 

      Various laboratory tests including bender element, resonant column, and torsional shear test have been carried out to evaluate the soil dynamic properties. Discrete element method is also used to study the dynamic properties at particulate level. Various methods and models are proposed to evaluate the soil accumulated deformation and perform the soil-infrastructure interactions during the earthquake.

 

Significant Results and Potential Impact: 

 

      The research illustrates the main influencing factors affecting the dynamic properties and look insight into the fundamental mechanism. It also provides valuable data for practical engineering. The proposed methods and models can be useful to evaluate the accumulate deformation and soil-structure interaction analysis.

Principal Investigator:

 

G.Y. Gao, S.J. Feng, F. Liu, X.Q. Gu.

 

Funding: 

 

◆National Natural Science Foundation of China: Study on the procedure for evaluating seismic compression induced by multi-dimensional earthquake shaking (41372271)

 

◆National Natural Science Foundation of China: Study on the static liquefaction of loose sand by model test and DEM simulation (51308408)

 

◆National Natural Science Foundation of China: Stochastic Model of Regional Liquefaction- Induced Lateral Deformation (41102173)

 

Key Publications:

1) Chen Q. S., Gao G.Y.*, Yang J. Dynamic response of deep soft soil deposits under multidirectional earthquake loading. Engineering Geology, 2011, 121(1-2): 55-65. 

 

2) Gu X.Q., Yang J. Shear stiffness of granular material at small strain: does it depend on grain size? Geotechnique, 2012, 63(2): 165-179.

 

3) Gu X.Q., Yang J. A discrete element analysis of elastic properties of granular materials. Granular Matter, 2013, 15(2), 139-148.

 

4) Gu X.Q., Yang J., Huang M.S. DEM simulations of the small strain stiffness of granular soils: effect of stress ratio. Granular Matter, 2013,15(3), 287-298.

 

5) Gu X.Q., Yang J., Huang, M.S. Laboratory investigation on relationship between degree of saturation, B-value and P-wave velocity. Journal of Central South University, 2013, 20(7), 2001-2007.

 

6) Gu X.Q., Yang J., Huang M.S. Laboratory measurements of small strain properties of dry sands by bender element. Soils and Foundations, 2013, 53(5), 735-745.

 

7) Shi-Jin Feng, Li-Ya Gao. Seismic analysis for translational failure of landfills with retaining walls, Waste Management, 2010, 30(11): 2065-2073.

 

8) Bardet JP, Liu F*. Towards virtual earthquakes using post-earthquake reconnaissance. Online Information Review , 2010, 34(1): 59-74. 

 

9) Bardet JP, Liu F. Motions of gently sloping ground during earthquakes. Journal of Geophysical Research – Earth Surface, 2009, No. 114, F02010, doi:10.1029/2008JF001107.