Ross W. Boulanger

Bio: Ross W. Boulanger is an academic researcher from University of California, Davis. The author has contributed to research in topics: Liquefaction & Centrifuge. The author has an hindex of 39, co-authored 196 publications receiving 6304 citations. Previous affiliations of Ross W. Boulanger include University of California, Irvine & California Department of Transportation.

Seismic Soil-Pile-Structure Interaction Experiments and Analyses

Abstract: A dynamic beam on a nonlinear Winkler foundation (or “dynamic p-y”) analysis method for analyzing seismic soil-pile-structure interaction was evaluated against the results of a series of dynamic centrifuge model tests The centrifuge tests included two different single-pile-supported structures subjected to nine different earthquake events with peak accelerations ranging from 002 to 07g The soil profile consisted of soft clay overlying dense sand Site response and dynamic p-y analyses are described Input parameters were selected based on existing engineering practices Reasonably good agreement was obtained between calculated and recorded responses for both structural models in all earthquake events Sensitivity of the results to dynamic p-y model parameters and site response calculations are evaluated These results provide experimental support for the use of dynamic p-y analysis methods in seismic soil-pile-structure interaction problems

Liquefaction Susceptibility Criteria for Silts and Clays

Abstract: New liquefaction susceptibility criteria for saturated silts and clays are presented that are based on the mechanics of their stress-strain behavior and which provide improved guidance for selecting engineering procedures for estimating potential strains and strength loss during seismic loading. Monotonic and cyclic undrained loading test data for silts and clays show that they transition, over a fairly narrow range of plasticity indices (PI), from soils that behave more fundamentally like sands (sand-like behavior) to soils that behave more fundamentally like clays (clay-like behavior), with the distinction having a direct correspondence to the type of engineering procedures that are best suited to evaluating their seismic behavior. It is recommended that the term liquefaction be reserved for describing the development of significant strains or strength loss in fine-grained soils exhibiting sand-like behavior, whereas the term cyclic softening failure be used to describe similar phenomena in fine-grained soils exhibiting clay-like behavior. For practical purposes, clay-like behavior can be expected for fine-grained soils that have PI ≥7, although a slightly lower transition point for soils with a CL-ML classification (perhaps PI ≥ 5 or 6) would be equally consistent with the available data. Issues related to the practical application of these criteria are discussed.

Dynamic response of liquefiable sand improved by microbial-induced calcite precipitation

Abstract: Microbial-induced calcite precipitation (MICP), a novel bio-mediated ground improvement method, was explored to mitigate liquefaction-prone soils. Geotechnical centrifuge tests were used to evaluate cementation integrity and the response of MICP cemented sands to dynamic loading. The cementation integrity testing reveals a change in behaviour from ‘soil like' to ‘rock like', with an increase in treatment level. Results from dynamic testing demonstrate a clear increase in resistance to liquefaction of MICP-treated sands compared to untreated loose sand. The MICP sands were treated to varying levels of cementation (light, moderate and heavy cementation levels) and assessed using non-destructive shear wave velocity measurements. The centrifuge models were all subjected to ground motions consisting of sine waves with increasing amplitudes. Accelerations, pore pressures and settlements were measured in the soil during shaking, and the changes in soil behaviour and post-shaking shear wave velocity for soils pre...

CPT-Based Liquefaction Triggering Procedure

Abstract: A probabilistic cone penetration test (CPT) based liquefaction triggering procedure for cohesionless soils is derived using a maximum likelihood method with an updated case history database. The liquefaction analysis framework includes revised relationships for the magnitude scaling factor (MSF) and for estimating fines contents from CPT data when laboratory test data are not available. The updated case history database and methodology for developing the liquefaction correlation are described. Measurement and estimation uncertainties, the potential effects of false positives and false negatives in the case history database, and the effects of the choice-based sampling bias in the case history database are accounted for. Sensitivity analyses showed that the position of the most likely triggering curve and the magnitude of the total error term are reasonably well constrained by the data. The sensitivity study provides reasonable bounds on the effects of different interpretations, from which probabil...

I and i

Abstract: There is, I think, something ethereal about i —the square root of minus one. I remember first hearing about it at school. It seemed an odd beast at that time—an intruder hovering on the edge of reality. Usually familiarity dulls this sense of the bizarre, but in the case of i it was the reverse: over the years the sense of its surreal nature intensified. It seemed that it was impossible to write mathematics that described the real world in …

Evaluating cyclic liquefaction potential using the cone penetration test

Abstract: Soil liquefaction is a major concern for structures constructed with or on sandy soils. This paper describes the phenomena of soil liquefaction, reviews suitable definitions, and provides an update...

Fundamentals of earthquake engineering

Abstract: PART 1 DEALS WITH THE DYNAMIC ASPECTS OF THE SUBJECT: MATHEMATICAL ANALYSIS OF SYSTEMS SUBJECTED TO INDEPENDENT VIBRATIONS BY MEANS OF MATHEMATICAL MODELS. THE ANALYTICAL SYSTEMS USED ARE NON-LINEAR SYSTEMS, HYDRODYNAMICS AND NUMERICAL METHODS. PART 2 EXAMINES SEISMIC MOVEMENTS, THE DYNAMIC BEHAVIOUR OF STRUCTURES AND THE BASIC CONCEPTS OF THE SEISMIC DESIGN OF STRUCTURES.

Liquefaction resistance of soils from shear-wave velocity

Abstract: A simplified procedure using shear-wave velocity measurements for evaluating the liquefaction resistance of soils is presented. The procedure was developed in cooperation with industry, researchers, and practitioners and evolved from workshops in 1996 and 1998. It follows the general format of the Seed-Idriss simplified procedure based on standard penetration test blow count and was developed using case history data from 26 earthquakes and >70 measurement sites in soils ranging from fine sand to sandy gravel with cobbles to profiles including silty clay layers. Liquefaction resistance curves were established by applying a modified relationship between the shear-wave velocity and cyclic stress ratio for the constant average cyclic shear strain suggested by R. Dobry. These curves correctly predicted moderate to high liquefaction potential for >95% of the liquefaction case histories and are shown to be consistent with the standard penetration test based curves in sandy soils. A case study is provided to illustrate application of the procedure. Additional data are needed, particularly from denser soil deposits shaken by stronger ground motions, to further validate the simplified procedure.