Wave-induced liquefaction hazard assessment and liquefaction depth distribution: A case study in the Yellow River Estuary, China

Abstract

Predicting the potential depth of wave-induced liquefaction is of vital importance of hazard assessment. Prevention and mitigation of liquefaction hazard can be carried out after predicting the liquefaction potential depth. Sediment geotechnical parameters were summarized from historical engineering projects and calculated liquefaction depth with data of actually measured water depth, sediment types and different wave recurrence periods. Then the study area was divided into different liquefaction zones. Results showed that both liquefaction range and depth increased with wave return period, which remained steady when increased to a certain extent. The calculated liquefaction depth was compared with the thickness of liquefied layers, which obtained by geophysical methods. Result shows that the average difference was about 1m, which means the method of liquefaction depth calculation was applicable in this study area. At last, in order to reduce harm of liquefaction, potential maximum liquefaction depth (PMLD) is put forward. PMLD is the smaller one between the thickness of seabed liquefiable sediment and the maximum calculated liquefaction depth. The calculation and partition of liquefaction depth can be more accurate after considering PMLD.

A Methodology for Susceptibility Assessment of Wave-Induced Seabed Liquefaction in Silt-Dominated Nearshore Environments

“…The peak wave stress in the study area is calculated under the wave conditions of a 5-year, 10-year, and 25-year return period to analyze the distribution of cyclic stress within the study area across varying wave conditions and sampling depths. Considering that the maximum liquefaction depth in the Chengdao region is less than 15 m, CSRs for three different wave conditions at sampling depths of 5 m, 10 m, and 15 m were further calculated [13]. The interpolation method was utilized to generate a zonal map of the peak wave pressures under different wave conditions (ρ w = 1025 kg/m 3 is the density of seawater and g = 9.8 m/s 2 is the gravitational acceleration), as shown in Figure 5.…”

“…ditions and sampling depths. Considering that the maximum liquefaction depth in the Chengdao region is less than 15 m, CSRs for three different wave conditions at sampling depths of 5 m, 10 m, and 15 m were further calculated [13]. The interpolation method was utilized to generate a zonal map of the peak wave pressures under different wave conditions (𝜌 1025 kg/m is the density of seawater and 𝑔 9.8 m/s is the gravitational acceleration), as shown in Figure 5.…”

“…To predict and evaluate the occurrence probability and severity of seabed liquefaction effectively, numerous researchers have started applying risk assessment and management techniques to this field [9][10][11][12]. These studies contribute to the quantitative analysis of the spatial extent of disasters, geological disaster mechanisms, and triggering factors [13,14]. The insights derived from these analyses provide recommendations for pre-disaster planning, disaster response, and post-disaster recovery efforts, ultimately mitigating losses.…”