What term is used for a rise in pore water pressure within saturated soils due to cyclic loading?

Prepare for your GERTC Hydraulics, Pneumatics, and Geotechnical Engineering Test. Study with multiple choice questions, detailed hints, and explanations. Get set for the HPGE exam!

The term that describes a rise in pore water pressure within saturated soils due to cyclic loading is liquefaction. Liquefaction occurs when saturated soil loses its strength and stiffness in response to applied stress, often during seismic events or dynamic loading conditions. This phenomenon is particularly significant in loose, saturated sands where the pore water pressure increases to a point that the soil behaves like a liquid, leading to reduced effective stress and potential ground failure.

In the context of cyclic loading, the repeated stress can lead to the buildup of pore water pressure, causing the soil particles to lose contact and result in the soil's inability to support loads adequately. This process highlights the importance of understanding soil behavior under various loading conditions and the influence of pore water pressure on stability.

Consolidation involves the gradual settlement of soil layers as excess pore pressures dissipate over time, while static liquefaction refers to a similar phenomenon but not induced by cyclic loading. Dilatancy, on the other hand, describes the volume change behavior of soil under shear stress, which can lead to an increase in strength in loose, granular materials rather than a rise in pore pressure leading to loss of strength. Understanding these terms is crucial in geotechnical engineering to predict and mitigate risks associated with soil behavior

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy