Earthquake Induced Settlements in Saturated Sands

Volume change measurements following cyclic loading triaxial tests on saturated sands provided data for estimating the settlement induced in a layer of saturated sand subjected to an earthquake. Expected settlements for well-designed fills where liquefaction will not occur are less than 0.5%. If liquefaction develops the reconsolidation settlement may be as much as 1 to 4%. Field data from several case history examples agree with these general predictions.