Wave-induced liquefaction hazard assessment and liquefaction depth distribution: A case study in the Yellow River Estuary, China

Predicting the potential depth of wave-induced liquefaction is of vital importance of hazard assessment. Prevention and mitigation of liquefaction hazard can be carried out after predicting the liquefaction potential depth. Sediment geotechnical parameters were summarized from historical engineering projects and calculated liquefaction depth with data of actually measured water depth, sediment types and different wave recurrence periods. Then the study area was divided into different liquefaction zones. Results showed that both liquefaction range and depth increased with wave return period, which remained steady when increased to a certain extent. The calculated liquefaction depth was compared with the thickness of liquefied layers, which obtained by geophysical methods. Result shows that the average difference was about 1m, which means the method of liquefaction depth calculation was applicable in this study area. At last, in order to reduce harm of liquefaction, potential maximum liquefaction depth (PMLD) is put forward. PMLD is the smaller one between the thickness of seabed liquefiable sediment and the maximum calculated liquefaction depth. The calculation and partition of liquefaction depth can be more accurate after considering PMLD.