Reliability analysis of liquefaction potential of soils using standard penetration test

Earthquake-induced liquefaction of soils may cause ground failure such as surface settlement, lateral spreading, sand boils, and flow failures, which, in turn, may cause damage to buildings, bridges, and lifelines. Examples of such structural damage due to soil liquefaction have been extensively reported in the last four decades. As stated in Kramer (1996), “some of the most spectacular examples of earthquake damage have occurred when soil deposits have lost their strength and appeared to flow as fluids.” During liquefaction, “the strength of the soil is reduced, often drastically, to the point where it is unable to support structures or remain stable.”