Constitutive models for predicting liquefaction of soils

Liquefaction is an example of a diffuse mode of failure. It occurs in loose sands when an effective mean pressure falls to zero. This phenomenon has been studied extensively both experimentally and theoretically. Three constitutive laws, based on different assumptions, capable of predicting liquefaction are given. These are the Pastor-Zienkiewicz generalized plasticity model and Darve's incrementally non-linear and octo-linear models. The results of numerical simulations of element tests are presented.