Liquefaction Investigation of Wenchuan Earthquake

Abstract eng:
At 14:28 May 12 2008, a catastrophic earthquake of magnitude 8.0, the epicenter of which locates at Wenchuan, struck Sichuan Province (N31.00, E103.40). The earthquake caused severe damage to human lives and provincial economy, including 69159 casualties, 374141 injured, 17469 missing and 617.729 billion yuan of economic loss (by June 12, 2008). Liquefaction, which resulted to serious destruction to schools, manufactories, residence houses, crop fields, aqueducts, dams, bridges, roads etc. have been observed in large scale. Such phenomena as sand boils, surface failure, subsidence, land spreading and wall cracks have been commonly found in the liquefied regions. Furthermore, three features can be outlined about the characteristics of the liquefaction phenomena. (1) Liquefaction behaviors have been observed in low intensity regions, e.g. regions of seismic intensity of VI, and some of the liquefied soils were medium sands and fine sands. (2) Gravelly-soil liquefaction has been observed. (3) Structure destruction has commonly caused by the liquefaction rather than ground shaking. However, the liquefaction investigation has not been finished, thus further research will be conducted.

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