Polymer Injection to Remediate Liquefaction Induced Foundation Settlement: Numerical Simulation of Shake Table Experiments

A series of two large-scale shake table tests were performed to investigate the efficacy of the polymer injection technique in remediating liquefaction-induced foundation settlement. In these tests, foundation-ground system response was studied first without and subsequently with polymer injected into the liquefiable stratum, resulting in a set of unique and comprehensive data. Here, a set of preliminary class C1 numerical simulations of these tests are presented using a 3D two-phase (solid-fluid) fully coupled finite element model with parameters partially calibrated from earlier studies. The physical and numerical models indicate an extensive reduction in the liquefaction-induced foundation deformations due to the injection and associated stiffening of the ground. Comparisons are made between computed and recorded engineering demand parameters (EDPs), including excess pore pressure, soil acceleration, and foundation settlement. A reasonable match is observed to the physical response, and the calibrated model is further used to run an additional scenario with sloping ground conditions. Directions for further improvement of the model are then suggested.