Liquefaction Studies on Guaratuba Bay Erosion

The paper presents the studies conducted to explain the erosion process which occurred at the Guaratuba bay coast located in the South of Brazil [Tavares, 1989]. The subsoil in the area is composed mainly of be clean sand. The erosion occurred as a result of the liquefaction of the sandy subsoil and is described in the text. Several buildings, including the City Hall, and some streets near the affected area were sunk into the subsoil. The phenomenon took place on the 23rd of September of 1968. In the years of 1998, 1999 to March, 2000, new studies were performed to evaluate the strength potential of the sand. The implications of the findings as far as the seismic aspects of the liquefaction phenomenon is concerned is discussed in the text