Centrifuge modelling of shear wave velocity evolution in sandy foundation during seismic loading
Centrifuge modelling of shear wave velocity evolution in sandy foundation during seismic loading
Earthquake records have shown that shear wave velocity of a site can drop abruptly during shaking and then recover through rapid and gradual phases. But centrifuge tests often struggle to capture this process due to compressed time scales. In this study, a real-time shear wave velocity testing system was used to monitor shear wave velocity of a silty sand foundation under different shaking intensities. Results show different evolution patterns between small and large shaking events. Under small shaking, shear wave velocity recovers as excess pore water pressure dissipated, yielding a post-shaking shear wave velocity greater than the initial value. In contrast, under strong shaking, the shear wave velocity reappeared at approximately 37% of its pre-shaking value and then increased to reach the pre-shaking level as the foundation consolidated. Despite further densification during reconsolidation, the shear wave velocity did not exceed its pre-shaking value. These findings provide direct experimental evidence of the transient loss and staged recovery of shear wave velocity in liquefied soils.
Qiang Ma; Yan-Guo Zhou; Y. Cao; Xin Zhang; Z. J. Yan
11th International Conference on Physical Modelling in Geotechnics (ICPMG2026)
Special Session 10: Liquefaction Experiments and Analysis Projects – Lesson Learned from LEAP-Asia-2025
https://doi.org/10.53243/ICPMG2026-378