ABSTRACT
Soil liquefaction is a phenomenon in which soil loses much of its strength or stiffness for a generally short time but nevertheless long enough for liquefaction to be the cause of many failures, deaths and major ‚nancial losses. For example, the 1964 Niigata (Japan) earthquake caused damage for more than $1 billion and most of this damage was related to soil liquefaction. The Aberfan (Wales) colliery spoil slide was caused by liquefaction and killed 144 people (116 of whom were children) when it inundated a school. Liquefaction was involved in the abandonment of the Nerlerk (Canada) arti‚cial island after more than $100 million had been spent on its construction. Liquefaction at Lower San Fernando Dam (California) required the immediate evacuation of 80,000 people living in its downstream. Liquefaction is an aspect of soil behaviour that occurs worldwide and is of considerable importance from both public safety and ‚nancial standpoints.
