Cyclic Liquefaction in Granular Soils: Engineering and Science
From Earthquakes to Micromechanics

Fellow Lecture by

Mahdi Taiebat
Senior Fellow 2024–2025

Details

Public event, free of charge.
Online participation possible.

This Fellow Lecture offers a modeling-focused overview of cyclic liquefaction in granular soils, beginning with phenomena observed during earthquakes. It will briefly introduce physical modeling methods, including element-level laboratory experiments and centrifuge modeling, as well as continuum-based numerical modeling and constitutive mechanics. However, the primary emphasis, will be on discrete element modeling (DEM), highlighting detailed micromechanical insights into granular soil behavior under cyclic loading.

Recent DEM findings will be presented, highlighting particle-scale interactions, coordination number evolution, and fabric anisotropy to clarify the microscale processes governing soil liquefaction. By integrating practical engineering perspectives with advanced micromechanical science, this lecture aims to inspire further exploration and innovation in understanding, modeling, and mitigating liquefaction hazards. The insights gained from these modeling approaches have significant implications for safer infrastructure design and improved disaster resilience.

Program

Range of targeted audiences

• Researchers, engineers, and students in geotechnical and earthquake engineering.
• Researchers, specialists, and students in civil and mechanical engineering, computational modeling, granular physics, and solid mechanics.
• General audience seeking an understanding of soil liquefaction.