Grading Entropy Coordinates And Criteria For Evaluation Of Liquefaction Susceptibility

Several methods are commonly used for the evaluation of liquefaction potential in soils. These include criteria based on SPT and CPT tests, shear wave velocity measurements and gradation limits, amongst others. This study applies the concept of grading entropy coordinates that enables plotting any particle size distribution (PSD) as a single coordinate pair in a Cartesian plane. In contrast to common descriptors such as the mean particle diameter (d50) and the coefficients of uniformity and curvature, cu and cc, respectively, grading entropy coordinates consider the entire range of particle sizes represented in the grading curve. Considering 62 gradings identified as liquefiable soils in existing studies, it was demonstrated that the grading entropy coordinates are a potentially effective tool to assess liquefaction susceptibility. Furthermore, it was postulated that existing internal stability criteria in terms of grading entropy coordinates may also be used as a framework for the evaluation of liquefaction susceptibility