Evaluation of existing constitutive models in nonlinear 1D effective stress ground response analysis

The National Building Code of Canada recommends that effective stress ground response analysis be performed if a liquefiable stratum is identified within a soil profile. While constitutive models for total stress ground response analysis have been well verified against earthquake recordings, existing models for effective stress ground response analysis have yet to be thoroughly validated. The present research project investigates the predictions of five constitutive models derived for effective stress ground response analysis. The recordings from seven liquefaction case histories are used, including data from downhole arrays and centrifuge experimental results, where the potential for liquefaction was identified during at least one earthquake. The ground motion records were selected to represent varying ground motion intensity and excess-pore pressure generation levels. The difference between predictions of the effective stress models against commonly used one dimensional ground response total stress equivalent-linear and nonlinear analyses are evaluated.