A study of loess liquefaction induced by the Wenchuan Ms8.0 Earthquake in Tianchuan，Qingshui county, Gansu province

Abstract: In the Wenchuan Ms8.0 Earthquake, the landslide damage due to liquefaction of saturated loess occurred in the Tianchuan village, Qingshui county, Gansu province. In this paper, based on the field and hazard investigation of the site, we amended the seismic intensity of the region in the Wenchuan earthquake by considering the geographic and geomorphic conditions and the seismic damage of structures of the village. Moreover, the tests on the physical property index and dynamic triaxial liquefaction of Tianchuan loess were carried out based on test results, the liquefaction of Tianchuan saturated loess was analyzed by considering the site conditions and soil characteristics, dynamic strength and liquefaction characteristics of the loess. Finally, the liquefaction discrimination of the loess was completed by using the response analysis method based on the result of dynamic triaxial liquefaction tests. The results show that the liquefaction of the loess is typical example of loess liquefaction, which provides a new example of loess liquefaction in low seismic intensity region.