Study of Soil Liquefaction for Earthquake Hazard Mitigation

地下水位以下土壤的液化是地震中已建设施受损的主要原因。目前分析土壤液化潜力的方法完全是经验的。相比之下，本研究计划涉及一个边值问题的公式及其通过数值计算方法来描述液化过程的求解。这是一个非常具有挑战性的分析、计算和实验程序。然而，主要研究人员的研究成果得到了个人的认可，并共同组成了一个具有专业知识和机构资源的团队来完成所建议的研究。这项研究的完成将代表着预测土壤液化潜力能力的一个根本进步。

The liquefaction of soil below the water table is a major cause of damage to constructed facilities during an earthquake. The present methods for analyzing the liquefaction potential of soils is entirely empirical. By contrast, this research program involves the formulation of a boundary value problem and its solution via numerical computer methods to describe the liquefaction process. It is a very challenging analytical, computational, and experimental program. However, the principal investigators are individually recognized for their research accomplishments, and together form a team which has the expertise and institutional resources to complete the research proposed. The completion of the research will represent a fundamental advance in the ability to predict the liquefaction potential of soils.