Critical assessment of the canlex blast experiment to facilitate a development of an in-situ liquefaction methodology using explosives

In current engineering practice, the liquefaction susceptibility of soil is assessed by in-situ testing or by laboratory testing. The in-situ testing approach is based on field performance correlation approach and it is good for sandy soils, but becomes difficult to apply in soils such as gravels...

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Main Author: Pathirage, Kapila S.
Format: Others
Language:English
Published: 2009
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/2429/11443
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spelling ndltd-UBC-oai-circle.library.ubc.ca-2429-114432018-01-05T17:35:52Z Critical assessment of the canlex blast experiment to facilitate a development of an in-situ liquefaction methodology using explosives Pathirage, Kapila S. In current engineering practice, the liquefaction susceptibility of soil is assessed by in-situ testing or by laboratory testing. The in-situ testing approach is based on field performance correlation approach and it is good for sandy soils, but becomes difficult to apply in soils such as gravels, silts and clays. In laboratory conditions, the cyclic loading tests could indicate inaccurate results unless those have been performed on absolutely undisturbed samples. The research in this thesis is a part of larger investigation, which is intended to explore the potential for evaluating liquefaction susceptibility in-situ by blasting. The main advantage of such a methodology is that the liquefaction resistance of the ground is evaluated under its existing stresses and ground water conditions. The major part of this research is a critical assessment of a field trial blast test, which was carried out during the Canadian Liquefaction Experiment (CANLEX) in Alberta. This includes the evaluation of measuring instruments used in the test, sampling rate and evaluation of measured data. In addition, this research investigates the induced wave patterns due to an explosion and the near field blast effects and the far field blast effects. Also, the research evaluates the possibilities of simulating earthquake like ground motions using explosives. The thesis establishes empirical relationships for liquefaction evaluation in loose saturated sandy soils. The state of art to establish these relationships is discussed. A comparison of these relationships with those proposed by other authors is also presented. In addition, the thesis discusses observed inadequacies of the CANLEX blast test to help in planning and conducting blast tests in the future. Applied Science, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Department of Graduate 2009-07-29T17:20:47Z 2009-07-29T17:20:47Z 2000 2001-05 Text Thesis/Dissertation http://hdl.handle.net/2429/11443 eng For non-commercial purposes only, such as research, private study and education. Additional conditions apply, see Terms of Use https://open.library.ubc.ca/terms_of_use. 9433385 bytes application/pdf
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language English
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description In current engineering practice, the liquefaction susceptibility of soil is assessed by in-situ testing or by laboratory testing. The in-situ testing approach is based on field performance correlation approach and it is good for sandy soils, but becomes difficult to apply in soils such as gravels, silts and clays. In laboratory conditions, the cyclic loading tests could indicate inaccurate results unless those have been performed on absolutely undisturbed samples. The research in this thesis is a part of larger investigation, which is intended to explore the potential for evaluating liquefaction susceptibility in-situ by blasting. The main advantage of such a methodology is that the liquefaction resistance of the ground is evaluated under its existing stresses and ground water conditions. The major part of this research is a critical assessment of a field trial blast test, which was carried out during the Canadian Liquefaction Experiment (CANLEX) in Alberta. This includes the evaluation of measuring instruments used in the test, sampling rate and evaluation of measured data. In addition, this research investigates the induced wave patterns due to an explosion and the near field blast effects and the far field blast effects. Also, the research evaluates the possibilities of simulating earthquake like ground motions using explosives. The thesis establishes empirical relationships for liquefaction evaluation in loose saturated sandy soils. The state of art to establish these relationships is discussed. A comparison of these relationships with those proposed by other authors is also presented. In addition, the thesis discusses observed inadequacies of the CANLEX blast test to help in planning and conducting blast tests in the future. === Applied Science, Faculty of === Civil Engineering, Department of === Graduate
author Pathirage, Kapila S.
spellingShingle Pathirage, Kapila S.
Critical assessment of the canlex blast experiment to facilitate a development of an in-situ liquefaction methodology using explosives
author_facet Pathirage, Kapila S.
author_sort Pathirage, Kapila S.
title Critical assessment of the canlex blast experiment to facilitate a development of an in-situ liquefaction methodology using explosives
title_short Critical assessment of the canlex blast experiment to facilitate a development of an in-situ liquefaction methodology using explosives
title_full Critical assessment of the canlex blast experiment to facilitate a development of an in-situ liquefaction methodology using explosives
title_fullStr Critical assessment of the canlex blast experiment to facilitate a development of an in-situ liquefaction methodology using explosives
title_full_unstemmed Critical assessment of the canlex blast experiment to facilitate a development of an in-situ liquefaction methodology using explosives
title_sort critical assessment of the canlex blast experiment to facilitate a development of an in-situ liquefaction methodology using explosives
publishDate 2009
url http://hdl.handle.net/2429/11443
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