SDMT-based Analysis of the Liquefaction Phenomena Induced by the April 6, 2009 Earthquake at Ponte Rasarolo, L'Aquila (Italy)

This paper analyzes the liquefaction phenomena induced by the April 6, 2009 L'Aquila earthquake (Italy) at the site of Ponte Rasarolo, L'Aquila, located in the epicentral area. The site was investigated by seismic dilatometer tests (SDMT). The SDMT results were used to perform liquefaction analyses by simplified methods which derive the cyclic resistance ratio CRR from the shear wave velocity VS (Andrus & Stokoe 2000, Kayen et al. 2013) and from the horizontal stress index KD (Monaco et al. 2005, Tsai et al. 2009, Robertson 2012). The cyclic stress ratio CSR was estimated based on data from strong motion recordings in the area. The results of the liquefaction analyses, both based on VS and on KD, confirmed the occurrence of liquefaction in a loose sand layer at about 3 to 4.5 m depth.