Pore Pressure Response of Liquefied Sand in Full-Scale Lateral Pile Load Tests

Abstract

Several full-scale lateral pile load tests were performed at Treasure Island in the San Francisco Bay in sand liquefied by controlled blasting. Cyclic lateral loads were applied to the foundations with displacements up to 225 mm. Piezometers were installed adjacent to, and at a distance up to 4.2 m in front of, the deep foundations. Excess pore pressure ratios observed during testing are presented for the purpose of providing insight into the behavior of liquefied soil in response to laterally loaded piles. Observed excess pore pressure ratios show that soil in the loading path of the foundations experienced a phase transformation at distances as great as 4.2 m. The soil behavior in response to lateral foundation movement is presented based on interpretation of the measured excess pore pressure response.