**4. Discussion and conclusions**

The intention of this research study is the identification and benchmarking the seismic soil liquefaction factors of seismic soil liquefaction and the understanding of their relationship. ISM-based hierarchical model has been developed to examine the cone penetration test based significant factors of seismic soil liquefaction potential. The ISM model presents the relationships between seismic soil liquefaction factors and their benchmarking position from higher to lower-level significant factors in hierarchy. The results provide a more accurate and caution way for establishment of seismic soil liquefaction potential and liquefaction-induced hazards risk assessment models. Seismic soil liquefaction factors located on top level hierarchy are greatly influenced by the interconnection of left-over factors. It is evident from the ISM model that the factor depth of soil deposit, F10 (*Ds*) at level 6, forms the base of the ISM hierarchy and has high driving power and low dependence power, whereas peak ground acceleration F2 (*a*max), equivalent clean sand penetration resistance F5 (*qc*1*Ncs*), and thickness of soil layer F11 (*Ts*), in the second level directly influence liquefaction potential. The other soil liquefaction potential factors are earthquake magnitude F1 (*M*), closest distance to rupture surface F3 (*R*/*rrup*), and soil behavior type index F6 (*Ic*) at level 3, fines content F4 (*FC*) and vertical effective stress F7 (*σ*<sup>0</sup> *<sup>v</sup>*) at level 4, total vertical stress F8 (*σv*) and groundwater table depth F9 (*Dw*) at level 5, as per the outcomes of the ISM hierarchical model and are classified as indirect factors that affect soil liquefaction.

By performing MICMAC analysis, the dependence-driving diagram is plotted which offers information about the relative significance and the interdependencies among various factors of seismic soil liquefaction. It is found in this study, that there exists no independent and linkage factor. Among the 11 factors studied, 2 factors are falling in dependent quadrant in the dependence-driving diagram and it is recognized that these particular factors will depend on other factors. Further, 6 factors fall under the autonomous quadrant. Rest of the 3 factors, in which 2 of them i.e., depth of soil deposit F10, (*Ds*) and total vertical stress F8, (*σv*), are located between two clusters, I and IV owing to intermediate diving power. Similarly, soil behavior type index F6, (*Ic*), is located between two clusters, I and II owing to intermediate dependence power. These factors i.e., depth of soil deposit, total vertical stress and soil behavior type index need attention owing to provide a more accurate and caution way for further establishment of seismic soil liquefaction potential and liquefaction-induced hazards risk assessment models.

## **Acknowledgements**

The work presented in this paper was part of the research sponsored by the Key Program of National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant No. 51639002 and the National Key Research and Development Plan of China under Grant No. 2018YFC1505300-5.3.

*Elucidation of Seismic Soil Liquefaction Significant Factors DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.97278*
