Probability of Liquefaction in Sabkha Soils under Different Earthquakes

Over the past decade, major advances have occurred in both understanding and practice with regard to assessment and mitigation of hazard associated with seismically induced soil liquefaction. Soil liquefaction engineering has evolved into a sub-field in its own right, and engineering assessment and mitigation of seismic soil liquefaction hazard is increasingly well addressed in both research and practice. In this research a study of the effect of Sabkha formation at the southwest part of Saudi Arabia on the liquefaction resistance probability. The Sabkha formation is different in its formations, properties, densification and location from ground surface. This paper studies the effect of the different earthquake magnitudes on the soil liquefaction resistance probability. It is found that the soil property, fine percentages and its densification has a significant effect on the soil liquefaction resistance. Recommendations for different methods to increase the factor of safety against liquefaction hazards are presented.