Date of Award:

5-2012

Document Type:

Thesis

Degree Name:

Master of Science (MS)

Department:

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Committee Chair(s)

James Bay

Committee

James Bay

Committee

Gilberto Urroz

Committee

John Rice

Abstract

This study is a parametric evaluation of reduction in undrained shear strength of fine grained soils required to cause failure beneath embankments during earthquake loading. The evaluated parameters are: crust thickness, normalized undrained strength, maximum past pressure, and embankment height. Both finite element and limit equilibrium analyses were used to determine strength reductions that would lead to embankment failure. It was found that reductions of undrained strengths of 55% to 65% would lead to failure during earthquake loading.

The method proposed by Idriss and Boulanger was also used to predict strength reductions for each model over a range of earthquake amplitudes and magnitudes. Idriss and Boulanger predicted strength reductions around 80% which would not lead to collapse of the embankments.

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Comments

This work made publicly available electronically on October 19, 2012.

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