Combined use of SDMT-CPTU results for site characterization and liquefaction analysis of canal levees

The paper illustrates the combined use of the results of seismic dilatometer tests (SDMT) and piezocone tests (CPTU), obtained as part of a comprehensive study aimed at investigating the post-earthquake stability conditions of canal levees damaged by the May 2012 Emilia (Italy) seismic sequence. The following issues are discussed: (1) Comparison of results obtained by SDMT vs. CPTU test interpretation, in particular soil type identification and ground property characterization of the embankment and the foundation soils. (2) Liquefaction analysis using a recent simplified method (Marchetti 2016) based on the combined use of the horizontal stress index KD provided by SDMT and the cone penetration resistance qt provided by CPTU. The results obtained by this method are compared with the results obtained by existing methods based on qt (CPT) and KD (DMT) alone, as well as with the results obtained by methods based on the shear wave velocity VS and by laboratory cyclic tests.