Cyclic Response and Post-cyclic Settlement of Sand Experiencing Repeated Earthquakes

This study evaluated the cyclic response and re-consolidation volumetric strain (ε^V) of clean sand subjected to repeated earthquakes at non-fully liquefied stage. A series of repeated cyclic direct simple shear tests (CDSS) at various cyclic stress ratios (CSR) and followed re-consolidation phases were performed on loose sand. From the experimental results, CSR, number of applied shear event, shear strain induced by shaking event were factors influencing the cyclic behavior and ε^V. For non-liquefied samples subjected to repeated shear events, two concepts of maximum double amplitude shear strain (γ^DA _max) and evolution of double amplitude shear strain (Δγ^E _DA) in relation to ε^V were examined, in which (Δγ^E _DA − ε^V) concept exhibited a better correlation and was suggested as an alternative approach for examining the dynamic response during shaking events induced by earthquakes.