Effect of Strain History on Liquefaction of Sand

The liquefaction of saturated sands has been identified as a major cause of damage to buildings and earth structures during earthquakes. Much of the damage occurring during the 1964 earthquakes in Niigata, Japan, and in Alaska, was caused by the liquefaction and consequent failure of sandy foundation soils, or by liquefaction-induced landslides. Comprehensive studies have been made of the variables controlling the incidence of liquefaction and attempts have been made to evolve rational procedures for predicting the likelihood of saturated sand deposits liquefying during earthquakes.