Spatial distribution characteristics of soil liquefaction potential in the Yellow River Subaquatic Delta, China

This paper aims to provide a design basis for engineering disaster prevention and mitigation by accurately describing the spatial distribution of soil liquefaction. A group of in-situ Cone Penetration Tests (CPT) was conducted to evaluate the seabed soil properties and liquefaction potential of the Yellow River Subaquatic Delta. The factor of safety against liquefaction (FSL) and liquefaction potential index (LPI) were utilized to investigate the liquefaction characteristics of seabed soils. The findings are as follows: (1) The delta is "near coarse and far fine," with sand and silt dominating the onshore direction and silt and silty clay dominating the offshore direction; (2) Silt, as a structured soil, has a maximum sensitivity of 10, and there are local liquefaction phenomena. The size of a Soil behavior type index can be used as the limit value of liquefaction discrimination in the region; (3) The FSL of the shallow layer is smaller, while that of the deep layer is generally larger. The FSL near the coast is smaller than that far from the coast, but its variation range is large, indicating that the shallow soil layer near the coast is more prone to liquefaction; (4) The LPI of the delta is less than 5, which is significantly affected by the wave cycle loads and geographical environment. Liquefaction can occur, but the probability of large-scale liquefaction is low.