Question

The phenomenon when soil loses its shear strength due to oscillatory motion is known as

Answer 1

Soil liquefaction occurs when asaturated or partially saturated soilsubstantially loses strength and stiffness in response to an appliedstress such as shaking during an earthquake or other sudden change instress condition, in which material that is ordinarily a solid behaves like aliquid.

Answer 2

The phenomenon when soil loses its shear strength due to oscillatory motion is known as soil liquefaction.

Soil Liquefaction

• In this phenomenon, the soil becomes liquid for a temporary period of time.
• The process of soil liquefaction occurs in soils situated near water-saturated areas.

• Apart from this reason, soil liquefaction might be caused due to earthquake shocks and construction practices.
• Soils that have poor drainage systems such as sandy soils are most susceptible to soil liquefaction.

The process of liquefaction may result in landslides, sand volcanoes and even contribute to soil damage.