As a fundamental parameter of soil

the shear wave velocity (denoted VS)offers a means to determine the seismic resistance of soil to liquefaction. The historical developments of VS and peak ground acceleration (denoted PGA)——based assessment method of soil liquefaction potential is reviewed. The basic principle to determine liquefaction triggering curve is given. The corresponding liquefaction triggering curve is proposed based on the database used by Kayen

Andrus

Saygili and Chu for a total of 49 earthquakes

618 case histories. The position of liquefaction triggering curve is verified with respect to various factors based on the case history database

such as fines content

overburden stress and magnitude scales. In addition

the sensitivity of the database’s interpretation to a number of aspects and components of the analysis framework is examined

such as the shear stress reduction factor that accounts for the dynamic response of the soil profile

the magnitude scaling factor

the overburden correction factor for cyclic stress ratio. And the results show these factors have slight effects on the position of the proposed liquefaction triggering curve. At last

the relationship between nominal safety factor and probability of liquefaction as well as the probabilistic contours for the proposed liquefaction triggering curve are given based on Monte Carlo simulation

the weighted maximum likelihood method and weighted empirical probability data. The soil liquefaction triggering curves are proposed for the seismic design category Ⅰ、Ⅱ and Ⅲ of the structure

system and component of nuclear power plants

respectively. The presented assessment is provided with wide application prospects.