In the bustling coastal cities around the world, where the allure of the sea meets the promise of economic growth, there’s an underlying challenge that keeps engineers up at night: liquefaction. This phenomenon, where saturated sandy soils lose strength and stiffness in response to earthquake shaking, can lead to devastating structural damage. Enter Parna Yarbakhti, a researcher from the Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Tarbiat Modares University in Tehran, Iran, who is tackling this issue head-on with a novel approach to soil improvement.
Yarbakhti’s recent study, published in the journal ‘مهندسی عمران شریف’ (translated to English as ‘Sharif Civil Engineering’), focuses on the seismic performance of stone columns and geotextile-reinforced stone columns as a countermeasure to liquefaction. The research is particularly relevant to the energy sector, where infrastructure such as pipelines, refineries, and offshore platforms are often built on coastal soils susceptible to liquefaction.
The study evaluated the effectiveness of ordinary stone columns and those reinforced with geotextile, both full-length and partial-length, in preventing liquefaction in loose sandy soils. Using a small-scale shaking table, Yarbakhti and her team conducted a series of model tests to simulate earthquake conditions. The results were promising. “Reinforcing the full length of the stone columns using geotextile has prevented liquefaction in the surface layers, reduced the excess pore water pressure ratio, increased the soil stiffness, and overall, has provided more effective performance than ordinary stone columns,” Yarbakhti explained.
The implications of this research are significant for the energy sector. Coastal areas are often prime locations for energy infrastructure due to their proximity to shipping lanes and resources. However, the risk of liquefaction can pose a substantial threat to the safety and stability of these facilities. By improving the seismic performance of sandy soils through geotextile-reinforced stone columns, engineers can enhance the resilience of energy infrastructure in coastal regions.
Moreover, the economic benefits are substantial. Liquefaction-induced damage can lead to costly repairs and downtime, disrupting energy production and distribution. Investing in soil improvement techniques like those studied by Yarbakhti can help prevent such damages, ensuring the continuous and safe operation of energy facilities.
Looking ahead, this research could shape the future of soil improvement practices in the energy sector. As Yarbakhti’s findings gain traction, we may see a shift towards more widespread adoption of geotextile-reinforced stone columns in coastal construction projects. This could lead to the development of new design guidelines and standards, further enhancing the safety and reliability of energy infrastructure in liquefaction-prone areas.
In the ever-evolving landscape of civil engineering, Yarbakhti’s work stands as a testament to the power of innovation in addressing longstanding challenges. As the energy sector continues to expand into coastal regions, the need for effective liquefaction mitigation strategies will only grow. With researchers like Yarbakhti at the helm, the future of coastal construction looks increasingly secure and resilient.