Evaluating 2D numerical simulations of granular columns in level and gently sloping liquefiable sites using centrifuge experiments

The response of a layered liquefiable soil profile, with granular columns as a mitigation strategy, was evaluated via numerical and centrifuge modeling. Comparisons were made for a level site containing a single granular column and for a pair of gentle slopes, one of which was mitigated with a network of dense granular columns. The results reveal the abilities and limitations of two state-of-the-art soil constitutive models. All simulations were performed in 2-dimensions using: 1) the pressure-dependent, multi-yield-surface, plasticity-based soil constitutive model (PDMY02); and 2) the bounding surface, plasticity-based, Manzari-Dafalias (M-D) soil constitutive model, both implemented in OpenSees. Numerical model parameters were previously calibrated via element testing. Both constitutive models under-predicted PGA near the surface at different distances from the granular column, but they better predicted spectral accelerations at periods exceeding 0.5 s (particularly M-D). The M-D model generally predicted seismic settlements well, while PDMY02 notably underestimated soil's volumetric compressibility and strains. Both models accurately predicted the peak value and generation of excess pore pressures during shaking for the unmitigated slope, leading to a successful prediction of lateral deformations. However, lateral movement of the treated slope was poorly predicted by both models due to inaccuracies in predicting the dissipation rate in the presence of drains. Both models came close to predicting the performance of gently sloping, liquefiable sites when untreated. But further advances are required to better predict the rate of excess pore pressure dissipation and seismic performance when the slope is treated with granular columns.