| The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of strong earthquake shaking on small earth embankments on water saturated loose silty sand deposits---such the existing 5 to 6 meters high dykes along Lake Maracaibo in Venezuela---using centrifuge modeling and simplified but realistic representation of both layered sandy soil and earth structure. The effects studied included the liquefaction of the sandy soil and the permanent settlement of the crest of the dyke due to the earthquake shaking. Fourteen centrifuge tests were conducted with the soils from Lake Maracaibo and a model of foundation on top of the soil. A soil deposit about 9 meters thick was modeled. Parameters studied included shaking acceleration, frequency and duration, sand type, sand fabric, and soil permeability. A curve of vertical displacement of the top of foundation or dyke versus number of cycles of shaking is proposed, which can be used to calibrate computer codes for more general numerical evaluations. |
