A major cause of damage to structures and earth embankments during earthquakes or any other such dynamic vibrating loading conditions has been the liquefaction of saturated sands. There have been several investigations to establish a convenient and relatively simple laboratory test procedure and to study the nature of field conditions leading to sand liquefaction. This investigation evaluates the effects of sample size, testing frequency, and the method of sample preparation on the number of cycles to cause initial liquefaction in pulsating triaxial tests using standardized equipment and test procedures. It has been found that sample size does affect test results as larger diameter samples tend to give a lower dynamic strength for sand. Also, higher pore pressures are generated in larger diameter samples for the same number of stress applications. There is an indication that a higher frequency of loading also produces a lower strength, but this is not considered to be conclusive due to very limited data. On the other hand, it is found that the method of sample preparation does not affect the test results if the variables of sample preparation such as relative density, homogenity, grainsize distribution, and the degree of saturation are maintained reasonably constant --Abstract, page ii
