Evaluation of the liquefaction potential of calcareous sand

The current practice for evaluating the liquefaction resistance of a sand deposit involves the use of correlations developed for terrigenous deposits. Because calcareous sediments behave differently than terrigenous:materials, these existing correlations do not accurately predict behavioral responses of calcareous sediments. Natural cementation between particles further complicates the behavioral properties of this soil type. Triaxial cyclic strength testing of calcareous and silica sands was performed in conjunction with full-scale cone penetration tests performed in a calibration chamber. Relationships were derived between cyclic strength and relative density, tip resistance and relative density, and cyclic strength and tip resistance.