Particle characteristics (particle shape and size), along with relative density, significantly influence the frictional characteristics and liquefaction behavior of granular materials, particularly sand. While many studies have examined the individual effects of particle shape, gradation, and relative density on the frictional characteristics and liquefaction behavior of sand, they have often overlooked the combined effects of these soil parameters. In this study, the individual effect of these three soil parameters on the strength characteristics (angle of internal friction) and liquefaction resistance has been quantified by analyzing the data available in the literature. A novel dimensionless parameter, the ‘packing index (<InlineEquation ID="IEq1"> <InlineMediaObject> <ImageObject Color="BlackWhite" FileRef="10035_2025_1529_Article_IEq1.gif" Format="GIF" Height="10" Rendition="HTML" Resolution="72" Type="Linedraw" Width="14" /> </InlineMediaObject> <EquationSource Format="TEX">\(\alpha \)</EquationSource> </InlineEquation>),’ was developed to account for the bulk characteristics (relative density - RD) and grain properties (gradation, represented by the coefficient of uniformity (<InlineEquation ID="IEq2"> <InlineMediaObject> <ImageObject Color="BlackWhite" FileRef="10035_2025_1529_Article_IEq2.gif" Format="GIF" Height="16" Rendition="HTML" Resolution="72" Type="Linedraw" Width="22" /> </InlineMediaObject> <EquationSource Format="TEX">\(C_u\)</EquationSource> </InlineEquation>), and particle shape represented by the shape descriptor regularity (<InlineEquation ID="IEq3"> <InlineMediaObject> <ImageObject Color="BlackWhite" FileRef="10035_2025_1529_Article_IEq3.gif" Format="GIF" Height="12" Rendition="HTML" Resolution="72" Type="Linedraw" Width="13" /> </InlineMediaObject> <EquationSource Format="TEX">\(\rho \)</EquationSource> </InlineEquation>)) of the granular soils. Through statistical analysis, a power law-based equation was proposed and validated to relate the cyclic resistance ratio (CRR) and angle of internal friction (<InlineEquation ID="IEq4"> <InlineMediaObject> <ImageObject Color="BlackWhite" FileRef="10035_2025_1529_Article_IEq4.gif" Format="GIF" Height="17" Rendition="HTML" Resolution="72" Type="Linedraw" Width="16" /> </InlineMediaObject> <EquationSource Format="TEX">\(\phi \)</EquationSource> </InlineEquation>) with the packing index. Finally, an approach to assess the liquefaction resistance was detailed considering the intrinsic soil parameters, aiming to bridge the gap between field observations and laboratory analysis to facilitate a comprehensive understanding of soil behavior under cyclic loading. Graphical abstract

Simplified approach for liquefaction assessment in granular soils: integrating bulk and grain properties

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发表日期：

2025年5月21日

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Mujeeb Ul Rehman,
Ramesh Kannan Kandasami,
Subhadeep Banerjee

摘要

Particle characteristics (particle shape and size), along with relative density, significantly influence the frictional characteristics and liquefaction behavior of granular materials, particularly sand. While many studies have examined the individual effects of particle shape, gradation, and relative density on the frictional characteristics and liquefaction behavior of sand, they have often overlooked the combined effects of these soil parameters. In this study, the individual effect of these three soil parameters on the strength characteristics (angle of internal friction) and liquefaction resistance has been quantified by analyzing the data available in the literature. A novel dimensionless parameter, the ‘packing index ( \(\alpha \) ),’ was developed to account for the bulk characteristics (relative density - RD) and grain properties (gradation, represented by the coefficient of uniformity ( \(C_u\) ), and particle shape represented by the shape descriptor regularity ( \(\rho \) )) of the granular soils. Through statistical analysis, a power law-based equation was proposed and validated to relate the cyclic resistance ratio (CRR) and angle of internal friction ( \(\phi \) ) with the packing index. Finally, an approach to assess the liquefaction resistance was detailed considering the intrinsic soil parameters, aiming to bridge the gap between field observations and laboratory analysis to facilitate a comprehensive understanding of soil behavior under cyclic loading.

Graphical abstract