Effects of liquefaction-induced lateral spreading on piles, an overview of physical modeling

Destructive damages to deep foundations due to liquefaction-induced lateral spreading during or after major earthquakes in gently sloping or level grounds with a free end have been observed in many earthquakes. The pile foundations supporting structures located in or near the ports and harbors, and also bridge piers, are the most vulnerable structures in this respect, as have been observed in various events in earthquake-prone areas all around the world for decades. Many physical and numerical modeling studies have been carried out to study and understand the insight into different aspects of this phenomenon. In this regard, 1g shake table and Ng centrifuge tests using both rigid and laminar shear boxes have been utilized to physically model the problem and measure the crucial parameters that may play an important role in the effects of lateral spreading on deep foundations. A number of countermeasures have also been examined for tackling this problem. In this paper, the authors describe shortly the physical modeling studies conducted by the first author and his coworkers including the second author on this subject during the last decade. In addition, the various parameters that are involved in physical modeling for studying the behavior of deep foundations subjected to liquefaction-induced lateral spreading are discussed herein. The limitations involved in such physical modeling are also mentioned and some solutions to the involved challenges are discussed as well.