Dynamic Properties of Soft Clay and Loose Sand from Seismic Centrifuge Tests

Appropriate evaluation of shear modulus and damping characteristics of soils subjected to dynamic loading is key to accurate seismic response analysis and soil modeling programs. Dynamic centrifuge experiments were conducted at C-CORE (Memorial University of Newfoundland) centrifuge center to investigate the dynamic properties and seismic response of soft clay and dry loose sand strata. Soft clay with shear strength of about 30 kPa and well graded silica sand at about 35% relative density were employed in a rigid container to simulate local site effects. Several earthquake-like shaking events were applied to the model to evaluate variation of shear modulus and damping ratio with shear strain amplitude and confining pressure, and to assess their effects on site response. The estimated modulus reduction and damping ratio were compared to the predictions of empirical formulae and resonant column tests for both soft clay and loose sand. The evaluated shear modulus and damping ratio were found to be dependent on confining pressure in both soil types. Modulus variation in both soils agreed well with the empirical curves and resonant column test results. However, the sand modulus values were slightly higher than the empirical relations and resonant column tests. This discrepancy is attributed to higher stress and densification of sand during large amplitude shaking applied to the model. The damping ratio at shear strains lower than 0.5% was in reasonable agreement with the empirical curves and the resonant column tests in both clay and sand models, but was generally higher at shear strain larger than 0.5%.