Spatial Prediction of Groundwater Depth to Trigger Liquefaction in St. Louis
Abstract
When the liquefaction potential of a mapped stratigraphic unit is statistically averaged and assessed spatially, uncertainties associated with groundwater levels are pervasive, due to natural variability in the landscape models, the variations in groundwater depth over time and space, measurement errors, and term vagueness in boring logs. Instead of assessing liquefaction potential assuming an unchanging groundwater level, this study sought to predict and contour the threshold depth-to- groundwater to trigger severe liquefaction in the St. Louis for an assumed M7.5 earthquake emanating from the New Madrid Seismic Zone. The simplified SPT-based procedure and scenario PGA of 0.20g were applied to evaluate the groundwater depth that would exceed a Liquefaction Potential Index of 15. This study revealed that alluvium lying with deeper bedrock surfaces and deeper threshold water depths were both more prone to liquefaction than loess/till deposits, because of their greater thickness and tendency to remain saturated, year-round.
Recommended Citation
J. Chung and J. D. Rogers, "Spatial Prediction of Groundwater Depth to Trigger Liquefaction in St. Louis," Geotechnical Special Publication, no. 224 GSP, pp. 804 - 811, American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), Jun 2011.
The definitive version is available at https://doi.org/10.1061/41183(418)84
Meeting Name
GeoRisk: Geotechnical Risk Assessment and Management (2011: Jun. 26-28, Atlanta, GA)
Department(s)
Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering
Keywords and Phrases
Geohazards; Groundwater; Missouri; Predictions; Soil Liquefaction; Spatial Analysis; Bedrock Surfaces; Boring Logs; Landscape Model; Liquefaction Potential Index; Missouri; Natural Variability; New Madrid Seismic Zones; Predictions; Stratigraphic Units; Water Depth; Forecasting; Measurement Errors; Offshore Pipelines; Rating; Risk Assessment; Uncertainty Analysis
Geographic Coverage
St. Louis, Missouri
International Standard Book Number (ISBN)
978-0784411834
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
0895-0563
Document Type
Article - Conference proceedings
Document Version
Citation
File Type
text
Language(s)
English
Rights
© 2011 American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), All rights reserved.
Publication Date
01 Jun 2011
