Uniqueness of steady state and liquefaction potential

A given sand is presumed to have a unique steady-state line. The proximity of an initial state to the steady-state line is considered to be a measure of liquefaction potential. This line of reasoning and application in practice is based on data obtained predominantly from triaxial tests in compression-mode loading. In such tests, relative orientations of bedding plane and principal stress directions remain fixed while stress states along actual failure surfaces may range from active to passive. This study examines the uniqueness of the steady state relative to the mode of loading, form of consolidation, and initial anisotropy as induced by bedding orientation. A sample-preparation method was developed to form triaxial samples with different bedding orientations. Steady states of a uniform sand reached under compressional and extensional modes of triaxial undrained loading of samples with different bedding orientation are compared. Effects of isotropic and anisotropic consolidation are examined. The results indicate the steady-state line obtained for compression-mode loading is different from and does not apply for extension-mode loading. Use of a compression side steady-state line for extension-mode failure states would result in overestimation of steady-state strengths and unconservative stability evaluations. Key words : anisotropy, compression, extension, liquefaction, sand, steady state, triaxial.