Advisor(s)

Mishac K. Yegian

Contributor(s)

Akram Alshawabkeh, Thomas Sheahan

Date of Award

2009

Date Accepted

8-2009

Degree Grantor

Northeastern University

Degree Level

M.S.

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department or Academic Unit

College of Engineering. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.

Keywords

digital imaging, liquefaction, liquefaction mitigation, partial degree of saturation

Subject Categories

Soil liquefaction, Soil mechanics, Soil stabilization, Saturation vapor pressure

Disciplines

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Abstract

As a critical failure induced by earthquakes, liquefaction has been investigated intensively to evaluate its potential occurrence and prevention. Even though significant advancements have been made in developing and implementing liquefaction mitigation measures, they are often too costly or not suitable for existing structures. Recent research at Northeastern University has demonstrated the benefits of inducing partial degree of saturation (IPS) in preventing the occurrence of liquefaction.

The research reported in this thesis proposes a new technique for inducing partial degree of saturation by the introduction of gas bubbles. The proposed technique utilizes a commercially available chemical compound which reacts with water and generates oxygen gas bubbles. This thesis explains the partially saturated specimen preparation with the new technique and its application in a previously designed and manufactured liquefaction box. The technique allowed preparing partially saturated specimens with degrees of saturation varying from 30% to 95%. The degree of saturation created by the new technique was also estimated using phase relationships and a digital imaging set up. The results from phase relationships and the digital imaging technique were correlated with a certain prediction interval that the degree of saturation can be estimated from digital images. In addition, the long term sustainability of the generated oxygen bubbles in sand specimens was proven by using gas solubility theory. Finally, as an initial attempt to help define future research, a field delivery system for induced oxygen bubbles was explored along with the chemical properties of the compound which was used in the proposed induced partial saturation application.

Document Type

Master's Thesis

Rights Holder

Seda Gokyer


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