EFFECTS OF LIQUEFACTION COUNTERMEASURE USING BURIED GABION INSTALLED TO SHALLOW FOUNDATIONS

Abstract

Liquefaction damage to small buildings, such as detached houses, has been conspicuous in recent earthquake disasters. To mitigate liquefaction damage in residential areas with existing houses, it is reasonable to take measures to mitigate damage to buildings even if liquefaction occurs rather than improving the ground to prevent liquefaction. However, few damage-mitigation measures have been applied to existing buildings. This study proposes a method for mitigating settlement by burying gravel-filled geogrid gabions on the sides of existing or newly constructed foundations. In addition, it evaluates the effect of using gabions to mitigate settlement by shaking table tests using a physical model. The results showed that installing geogrid gabions reduced the settlement of existing strip foundations by 40%-60% compared with that without geogrid gabions. The settlement of the existing mat foundation was reduced by half compared to that without geogrid gabions, depending on the conditions. The gabions were assumed to reduce foundation settlement by locally suppressing liquefaction around the ground.