How does liquefaction occur and how does it cause damage during an earthquake?

Answer 1

Liquefaction occurs in cohesionless soils (typically those with a higher content of larger grains such as sand sized clasts) which have water in the pore spaces, and are poorly drained.

When the seismic waves from the earthquake pass through the soil, the vibrations cause the individual grains in the soil to move around and re-adjust their positions. This ultimately results in a decrease in volume of the soil mass as the grains pack more tightly together (a reduction in porosity).

The pore water which was originally in those spaces becomes compressed. Water is relatively incompressible and as such it pushes back against the soil grains (more correctly this is described as an increase in pore water pressure). The pore pressure becomes so high, that the soil grains become almost buoyant causing a significant drop in the shear strength of the soil to a very low value and causing it to behave as a viscous liquid rather than a solid.

When this occurs the soil loses it's ability to support loads (technically described as a loss of bearing capacity) which can cause subsidence of building foundations leading to structural damage.

Answer 2

Liquefaction occurs in cohesionless soils (typically those with a higher content of larger grains such as sand sized clasts) which have water in the pore spaces, and are poorly drained.

When the seismic waves from the earthquake pass through the soil, the vibrations cause the individual grains in the soil to move around and re-adjust their positions. This ultimately results in a decrease in volume of the soil mass as the grains pack more tightly together (a reduction in porosity).

The pore water which was originally in those spaces becomes compressed. Water is relatively incompressible and as such it pushes back against the soil grains (more correctly this is described as an increase in pore water pressure). The pore pressure becomes so high, that the soil grains become almost buoyant causing a significant drop in the shear strength of the soil to a very low value.

When this occurs the soil loses it's ability to support loads (technically described as a loss of bearing capacity) which can cause subsidence of building foundations.

Answer 3

It depends the area of study where the term is used.

• In geoology liquefaction is when water is forced out of the ground during the violent shaking that occurs in an earthquake. This water usually is in the form of a suspension with fine particles and once the water drains away, a fine sludge remains.This occurred recently during the Christchurch Earthquake in New Zealand.
• In physics, chemistry, and genetic engineering liquefaction deals with gases. It is the process of condensing a gas into a liquid. It can also refer to the change from a solid to a liquid through melting.,
• In the energy industry liquefaction refers to converting a solid or gaseous fuel to a liquid for fuel use in systems designed for liquid fuels.
• In economics liquefaction (a synonym for liquidate) is the process of turning hard assets into cash.
• In Biology liquefaction occurs when organic tissue turns into a more liquid state.

Answer 4

Liquefaction occurs when water-saturated soil loses its strength and stiffness due to shaking during an earthquake, causing it to behave like a liquid. This can lead to sinking, tilting, and shifting of buildings, infrastructure, and other structures built on the affected soil, resulting in significant damage and potential collapse.

Answer 5

Loose, saturated soil turns into liquid that can't support buildings

Answer 6

Liquefaction occurs in cohesionless soils (typically those with a higher content of larger grains such as sand sized clasts) which have water in the pore spaces and are poorly drained.