What kind of loads can lead to soil liquefaction?

Soil liquefaction occurs when saturated soils lose their strength and stiffness in response to applied stress, primarily due to dynamic loads. This phenomenon is most commonly associated with seismic activity, where ground shaking can create pore water pressure within the soil, reducing its effective stress and leading to a temporary loss of strength. Dynamic loads, which can also include vibrations from machinery or blasts, contribute significantly to the potential for liquefaction, particularly in loose, saturated sands.

Static loads, light loads from vegetation, and weather-induced loads generally do not produce the rapid changes in pore water pressure needed to trigger liquefaction. Static loads tend to allow for more gradual changes in soil behavior, while light loads and weather-induced forces, such as rainfall or frost, typically do not generate the conditions necessary for liquefaction to occur. Thus, dynamic loads, particularly from seismic events, are the primary catalyst for this critical geotechnical hazard.