Flow analysis of liquefied soils based on smoothed particle hydrodynamics

To overcome the disadvantages of traditional flow analysis methods for liquefied soils that exhibit fluidization and large deformation characteristics, Smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) is adopted in this study to analyze the flow processes of liquefied soils. Bingham model with the use of the Mohr–Coulomb yield criterion, the concepts of equivalent Newtonian viscosity, and the Verlet neighbor list method are introduced into the framework of SPH to build an algorithm for the analysis of flowing liquefied soils. This modeling involves a simulation of physical model test of flowing liquefied soils that can be compared with numerical results. In addition, a shaking table test is selected from the literature for SPH analysis to verify the validation of the SPH method and extend its applications. The SPH simulation can reproduce the flow processes of liquefied soils and constrain estimates of the horizontal displacement, vertical displacement, and velocity of soils after liquefaction. According to the dynamic behaviors of the materials involved, designs can be implemented to improve the seismic safety of structures. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2011