Centrifuge Evaluation of the Impact of Partial Saturation on the Amplification of Peak Ground Acceleration in Soil Layers

摘要

The seismic response of partially saturated soils differs from that of dry or water saturated soils. However, available site response analysis methods do not consider the potential impact of partial saturation. As a soil changes in degree of saturation, the corresponding changes in matric suction will have an effect on the effective stress and small strain shear modulus. Further, the unit weight of the soil will change, altering its inertial response. As a result, the distribution of degree of saturation with depth affects the propagation of seismic waves and the peak ground acceleration amplification factor. This paper uses centrifuge physical modeling to assess the impact of partial saturation on the shear wave velocity and peak ground acceleration amplification factor of partially saturated sand layers.