Evaluation of performance of port structures during earthquakes

The paper gives an overview of recent developments in evaluating seismic performance of geotechnical structures in port areas, including quay walls, coastal embankments, reclaimed land, and buildings. Evaluation of the seismic performance of geotechnical structures affected by soil liquefaction was based on conventional procedures for simulating the undrained cyclic behavior of sandy soil. Recent developments and paths forward in evaluating seismic performance of geotechnical structures are based on additional cyclic and post-cyclic soil behavior, such as the effects of steady state (residual strength) and combination of cyclic and steady state effects, and effects of void redistribution. In addition, combined geotechnical hazards due to soil-structure-fluid interaction are recognized as challenges in geotechnical engineering as exemplified by the toppling of a four-story steel frame building with pile-foundation due to tsunami impact during 2011 East Japan earthquake.