Ground Motion Selection for Liquefaction Evaluation Analysis of Earthen Levees

Guidelines for selecting ground motions for liquefaction evaluation analysis of earthen levees are proposed. These guidelines were developed based on results from dynamic analyses of characteristic earthen levee cross sections using a wide range of ground motions (similar to 1,500). The effect of a number of ground motion parameters on the dynamic response of the levees in terms of liquefaction susceptibility was studied, and the parameters that correlated best to the response were identified. For the liquefaction triggering evaluation, the mean period of the ground motion (T-m) is best correlated to the cyclic stress ratio (CSR). Regression relationships between CSR and T-m are proposed for a series of levee types and shaking intensities. [DOI: 10.1193/1.4000078]