Review and Discussion on Seismic Subsidence of Loess

The research and achievements made on seismic subsidence of loess,obtained over the past30 years,were reviewed.Seismic Subsidence of Loess(SSL)has been verified by microstructure characteristics,dynamic triaxial experiments,and in-situ explosion tests,and has become an important subject in the field of seismic loess engineering research.While,the research is still in the stage of theoretical study of saturated soil,and there are no representative cases of seismic subsidence of loess in historical earthquakes.It is difficult to express structure characteristics using microstructure morphology.While,soil mechanics are available methods for this.Seismic subsidence judgment is absolute in some certain value ranges for several parameters.Therefore,probabilistic judgment should be developed.The seismic subsidence ratio is estimated mostly by empirical formulas or semiempirical and semi-theoretical formulas,which are based on laboratory data.These formulas are not established on the basis of physical process and mechanics of seismic subsidence,and this leads to more variables,complicated computation,and poor practicability.To solve these problems,we need to distinguish the main factors and corresponding variables,to establish a mechanics model for seismic subsidence estimation,and to characterize its physio-mechanical process.The key of anti-seismic subsidence treatment is to reduce the seismic subsidence property of soils,and to lower the interaction between the soil body and underground structures.