Comparison of sand liquefaction in cyclic triaxial and simple shear tests

The liquefaction resistance and correction factors K_σ and K_α of Nakdong River sand obtained from cyclic triaxial (CTX) tests were compared with those determined by cyclic simple shear (CSS) tests to ascertain the importance of the reduction factor C_r and correction factors K_σ and K_α in liquefaction evaluations, especially in view of the lack of comparative liquefaction assessments based on different laboratory test apparatuses. All samples used for the comparisons were obtained from the same type of sand by using similar preparation methods and they were subjected to similar stress states to minimize the number of factors influencing the comparison results; moreover, the apparatuses used in the two tests were manufactured by the same company and all tests were conducted by a single operator. It was found that the liquefaction resistance in CTX tests was always greater than that in CSS tests. Furthermore, C_r varied from 0.63 to 0.36, and it depended on the relative density D_r and initial static shear ratio α. K_σ, which increased with the normal effective stress σ′_nc in CTX tests, was identical to K_σ observed in CSS tests when α was increased up to 0.1. By contrast, K_α in the CSS tests was 58%–97% of K_α measured in the CTX tests, and it depended on the combined effect of D_r, σ′_nc, and α. The relationship between K_α and α in both CTX and CSS tests was well represented by a parabolic function. Moreover, the differences in K_α values between the CTX and CSS tests were also found to be a parabolic function of α. This information can be used for converting CTX (or CSS) values into equivalent CSS (or CTX) values.