The Importance of Seepage Forces in Soil Liquefaction

Watch a 48-minute lecture exploring the critical role of seepage forces in soil liquefaction, presented by Professor Einat Aharonov from the Institute of Earth Sciences at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Discover how traditional undrained response models fall short in explaining common liquefaction observations, including distant earthquake effects and recurring events. Learn about groundbreaking research using physics-based modeling, numerical simulations, and shaking table experiments that demonstrate how soil liquefaction can occur through a drained process. Explore the concept of seepage forces and their impact on soil stability, including the phenomenon of upward-moving compaction fronts that separate stable and liquefied soil layers. Gain valuable insights into how this new understanding challenges conventional seismic hazard predictions, particularly for well-drained soils, areas experiencing mild seismic activity, and locations with previous liquefaction events.