Probabilistic Assessment of Soil Liquefaction Potential Using CPT-Based Smart Site Investigation Strategy

In engineering practice, cone penetration tests (CPTs) are often used in geotechnical site characterization to assess liquefaction potential of granular soils. It is widely recognized that soil liquefaction assessment results interpreted from a limited number of investigation points may contain multiple sources of uncertainties. Increasing the number of investigation points is a straightforward way to improve the reliability level of interpreted liquefaction assessment results. However, no rational or scientific methods regarding the optimal placement of investigation points is available for probabilistic soil liquefaction assessment. To address this challenge, this paper proposes a CPT-based smart site investigation strategy for probabilistically evaluating soil liquefaction potential in a cross-section with proper consideration of various sources of uncertainties and soil spatial variability. © 2023 by the American Society of Civil Engineers.