Centrifuge modeling of the behavior of caisson-type quay walls during earthquakes

A series of 2-D centrifuge modeling tests with an in-flight shaker were carried out in order to model both the deformation characteristics of backfill and the seismic responses of caisson-type walls embedded in soils with various permeabilities. The rotational and translational modes were found to be in phase or various degrees out of phase with each other for quay walls embedded in soils with varying permeabilities. The alternative pumping and suction processes in excess pore water pressure that are caused by a wall's vibrations increase the level of damage because large amounts of backfill are forcedly leaked into the sea. The test results show that the rotational mode makes the dominant contribution to the changes in excess pore water pressure and in the earth pressure in the deep layers of soil, but the translational mode makes the dominant contribution to these pressures in the shallow layers. The average shear wave velocities were found to decrease rapidly to values as low as 1/8th of the velocity measured at the beginning of shaking.     

Centrifuge modeling of a dry sandy slope response to earthquake loading

This paper presents results of a series of centrifuge models of dry, sandy slopes excited by earthquakes and cyclic waves under 50g centrifugal acceleration to investigate the dynamic performance of slopes. Test results of four model slopes with different profiles stimulated by the adjusted El Centro earthquakes with various peak accelerations reveal the response amplification mechanism of the slope. By calculating the response spectra of recorded acceleration time histories, it was observed that the different frequency contents of the input event were amplified to different degrees. The model slope showed a completely different response under the cyclic wave with a constant frequency and amplitude in that the spectral amplification factor curves had no prominent peak values. These findings suggest that dynamic centrifuge tests excited with a real ground motion are able to better reflect the response characteristics of a slope rather than the tests with cyclic loading.     

Centrifuge modeling of seismic response of layered soft clay

Centrifuge modeling is a valuable tool used to study the response of geotechnical structures to infrequent or extreme events such as earthquakes. A series of centrifuge model tests was conducted at 80g using an electro-hydraulic earthquake simulator mounted on the C-CORE geotechnical centrifuge to study the dynamic response of soft soils and seismic soil–structure interaction (SSI). The acceleration records at different locations within the soil bed and at its surface along with the settlement records at the surface were used to analyze the soft soil seismic response. In addition, the records of acceleration at the surface of a foundation model partially embedded in the soil were used to investigate the seismic SSI. Centrifuge data was used to evaluate the variation of shear modulus and damping ratio with shear strain amplitude and confining pressure, and to assess their effects on site response. Site response analysis using the measured shear wave velocity, estimated modulus reduction and damping ratio as input parameters produced good agreement with the measured site response. A spectral analysis of the results showed that the stiffness of the soil deposits had a significant effect on the characteristics of the input motions and the overall behavior of the structure. The peak surface acceleration measured in the centrifuge was significantly amplified, especially for low amplitude base acceleration. The amplification of the earthquake shaking as well as the frequency of the response spectra decreased with increasing earthquake intensity. The results clearly demonstrate that the layering system has to be considered, and not just the average shear wave velocity, when evaluating the local site effects.     

Modelling of raked pile foundations in liquefiable ground

Raked piles are believed to behave better than vertical piles in a laterally flowing liquefied ground. This paper aims at numerically simulating the response of raked pile foundations in liquefying ground through nonlinear finite element analysis. For this purpose, the OpenSees computer package was used. A range of sources have been adopted in the definition of model components whose validity is assessed against case studies presented in literature. Experimental and analytical data confirmed that the backbone force density–displacement (p–y) curve simulating lateral pile response is of acceptable credibility for both vertical and raked piles. A parametric investigation on fixed-head piles subject to lateral spreading concluded that piles exhibiting positive inclination impart lower moment demands at the head while those inclined negatively perform better at liquefaction boundaries (relative to vertical piles). Further studies reveal substantial axial demand imposed upon negatively inclined members due to the transfer of gravity and ground-induced lateral forces axially down the pile. Extra care must be taken in the design of such members in soils susceptible to lateral spreading such that compressive failure (i.e. pile buckling) is avoided.     

Centrifuge modeling of the seismic responses of sand deposits with an intra-silt layer

Three dynamic centrifuge model tests were conducted at an acceleration of 80g to simulate the seismic responses of level sand deposits: an intra-silt layer was embedded in two of these sand deposits at different depths. The effects of a low-permeability intra-silt layer on the build-up and dissipation of excess pore-water pressure, surface settlement, and the related liquefaction mechanism were investigated. An intra-silt layer modifies the seismic response of the sand deposit, reduces the extent of liquefaction, and thus decreases surface settlement. The depth of the intra-silt layer is one of the factors influencing the seismic responses of the sand deposits. The magnitude of the surface settlement is proportional to the degree of liquefaction in the sand deposit. The high positive hydraulic gradients appearing in both the intra-silt layer and in the sand deposit lying on the intra-silt layer can break a thinner or weaker top layer and result in sand boiling. Our visual animation of the ratio of the excess pore-water pressure and the lateral displacement revealed that the liquefaction front travels upward during shaking and the solidification front travels upward after shaking.     

Centrifuge modeling of offshore wind foundations under earthquake loading

The construction of large offshore wind turbines in seismic active regions has great demand on the design of foundations. The occurrence of soil liquefaction under seismic motion will affect the stability of the foundations and consequently the operation of the turbines. In this study, a group of earthquake centrifuge tests was performed on wind turbine models with gravity and monopile foundations, respectively, to exam their seismic response. It was found that the seismic behavior of models was quite different in the dry or saturated conditions. Each type of foundation exhibited distinct response to the earthquake loading, especially in the offshore environment. In the supplementary tests, several remediation methods were evaluated in order to mitigate the relatively large lateral displacement of pile foundation (by fixed-end pile and multi-pile foundation) and excessive settlement of gravity foundation (by densification, stone column, and cementation techniques).     

Seismic response of earth dam with varying depth of liquefiable foundation layer

Earthquake induced liquefaction continues to be a major threat to many engineered structures around the world. Analysis of liquefaction becomes particularly difficult for two-dimensional (and 3D) problems such as dam/foundation systems. Predominantly, analyses for such systems are performed utilizing some type of finite element or finite difference procedure. Verification or validation of the analyses relies on very limited field performance data with reduced knowledge of the full scope of system conditions or loading conditions.Research reported in this paper represents a portion of ongoing work to obtain a database of information useful for numerical model calibration and to gain a better understanding of the complex dynamics of liquefying foundations under earth dams. Specifically, a highly instrumented model of an earth dam with clay core founded on a liquefiable foundation subjected to earthquake loading is being studied. Properties of the liquefiable foundation are varied to determine the related effects on the overlying earth dam. In this paper, results from three centrifuge physical models will be presented. The models are identical, with the exception of the location (depth) of a liquefiable layer in the foundation, and are subjected to the same dynamic excitation. Results and discussion related to the significance of the liquefiable layer location within the foundation and damage to the earth dam are presented.     

Application of Hilbert-Huang transform to characterize soil liquefaction and quay wall seismic responses modeled in centrifuge shaking-table tests

In this paper, a Hilbert-Huang Transform data-processing technique is successfully used to characterize the seismic responses of soil–quay wall systems using measured data in a series of geotechnical centrifuge shaking-table tests. The predominant frequency of a liquefied deposit shifts down to a low frequency level; however, “de-liquefaction” leads to frequent, local higher-frequency spikes in the time histories of predominant instantaneous frequency (PIF). A lower amount of seaward displacement was found if the combined translation and rotation modes resulted in lower excess-pore-water pressure when the wall accelerated seaward. Cyclic changes in the PIF of the wall during shaking are directly related to the stiffness of the soil in which the wall is embedded. Thus, PIF at any given instant provides a superior indicator for characterizing the occurrence of liquefaction and the time-varying soil dynamic property. This advantage assists in evaluating the degradation of soil dynamic properties at any given instant based on the acceleration time histories measured in model tests or even in the field.     

Experimental developments for studying static and seismic behavior of retaining walls with liquefiable backfills

The effects of earthquakes on cantilever retaining walls with liquefiable backfills were studied. The experimental techniques utilized in this study are discussed here. A series of centrifuge tests was conducted on aluminum, fixed-base, cantilever wall models retaining saturated, cohesionless backfills. Accelerations on the walls and in the backfill, static and excess pore pressures in the soil, and deflections and bending strains in the wall were measured. In addition, direct measurements of static and dynamic lateral earth pressures were made. In some tests, sand backfills were saturated with the substitute pore fluid metolose. Modeling of model type experiments were conducted. The experimental measurements were found internally consistent and repeatable. Both static and dynamic earth pressure measurements were determined to be reliable. It was also observed that for the test configuration adopted, a special boundary treatment such as the use of duxseal is optional. Static and seismic modeling of models were also successful, which indicated that the assumed scaling relations were essentially correct.     

Centrifuge modeling of load-deformation behavior of rocking shallow foundations

Shallow foundations supporting building structures might be loaded well into their nonlinear range during intense earthquake loading. The nonlinearity of the soil may act as an energy dissipation mechanism, potentially reducing shaking demands exerted on the building. This nonlinearity, however, may result in permanent deformations that also cause damage to the building. Five series of tests on a large centrifuge, including 40 models of shear wall footings, were performed to study the nonlinear load-deformation characteristics during cyclic and earthquake loading. Footing dimensions, depth of embedment, wall weight, initial static vertical factor of safety, soil density, and soil type (dry sand and saturated clay) were systematically varied. The moment capacity was not observed to degrade with cycling, but due to the deformed shape of the footing–soil interface and uplift associated with large rotations, stiffness degradation was observed. Permanent deformations beneath the footing continue to accumulate with the number of cycles of loading, though the rate of accumulation of settlement decreases as the footing embeds itself.     

Seismic analysis of infinite pile groups in liquefiable soil

Numerical analysis of an infinite pile group in a liquefiable soil was considered in order to investigate the influence of pile spacing on excess pore pressure distribution and liquefaction potential. It was found that an optimal pile spacing exists resulting in minimal excess pore pressure. It was also found that certain pile group configurations might reduce liquefaction potential, compared to free field conditions. It was observed that for closely spaced piles and low frequency of loading, pile spacing has little influence on the response of the superstructure.     

第四纪地层中断层同震错动行为的离心机试验研究

运用试验地球物理学的原理和方法来研究认识当地震发生时在第四纪地层中断层同震错动行为的有关特征,为减轻地震灾害相关问题进行基础研究.原创了在试验模型中预制断层的方法来模拟第四纪地层中存在的断层,用离心机模拟试验研究第四纪地层中不同活动年代、不同上断点深度断层的同震错动行为,特别是地表破坏(地表形变和破裂)特征,取得了新的明确认识,给出了不同场地条件下建设工程应对地震地表破裂造成直接破坏的避让距离.因此这项工作不但有着基础科研意义,而且具有对工程建设防震减灾的实际应用意义.     

Assessment of variability and uncertainties effects on the seismic response of a liquefiable soil profile

The present work deals with the evaluation of the effect of the randomness of both soil parameters and input motion on the seismic response of a sandy soil profile. Special attention is given to estimate the relative contribution of model input parameters on (i) the probability of liquefaction apparition and (ii) the surface seismic response. The Monte Carlo simulations were used for that purpose. This analysis shows that, for the considered case, the choice of the earthquake input signal remains the most subtle parameter in order to define the liquefaction probability. Otherwise, spatial variability of both soil properties and soil model's parameters have a weak impact on the response of the soil profile.     

Centrifuge modeling of interaction between reverse faulting and tunnel

In this study, a series of centrifuge tests, modeling reverse fault rupture with 60° dip angle, were conducted in a dry sandy soil with a tunnel embedded in the soil layer. The test results showed that the tunnel and soil responses depended on the tunnel position, soil relative density and tunnel rigidity. Tunnels appeared be able to deviate the fault rupture path, while this deviation may be associated with significant rotation and displacement of the tunnel. However, a deeper tunnel was able to diffuse the shear deformation to a wider zone with an unsmooth surface displacement which may cause severe damage to the surface structures. Finally, the tunnel rotation, the location of the fault outcropping, the vertical displacement of the ground surface, the effect of tunnel rigidity on fault rupture path and surface displacement and the effect of soil relative density on fault–tunnel interaction were reported and discussed in this study.     

Centrifuge model tests on liquefaction-induced settlement and pore water migration in non-homogeneous soil deposits

This paper presents the results of dynamic centrifuge model tests conducted to investigate the liquefaction mechanism in non-homogeneous soil deposits. Four types of model tests were conducted: one model test involved a uniform soil deposit; one involved continuous layered soil deposit; and two involved discontinuous layered soil deposits. Non-homogeneity in the tests was incorporated by including periodically distributed discontinuous silty sand patches. It was found that more excess pore water pressure (EPWP) remains for a longer period of time in the discontinuous region in non-homogeneous soil deposits compared with the continuous layered and uniform soil deposits. The generation of pore water pressure ceases the supply of a new mass of water after seismic excitation; therefore the dissipation of EPWP becomes the dominant factor for settlement after seismic excitation. The rapid dissipation of EPWP through the discontinuous part in the non-homogeneous soil deposits manifests as a larger settlement in the discontinuous part, causing non-uniform settlements.     

Response of a RC pile group in liquefiable soil: A shake-table investigation

Soil liquefaction induced by earthquakes frequently cause costly damage to pile foundations. However, various aspects of the dynamic behavior and failure mechanisms of piles in liquefiable soils still remain unclear. This paper presents a shake-table experiment conducted to investigate the dynamic behavior of a reinforced-concrete (RC) elevated cap pile foundation during (and prior to) soil liquefaction. Particular attention was paid to the failure mechanism of the piles during a strong shaking event. The experimental results indicate that decreasing the frequency and increasing the amplitude of earthquake excitation increased the pile bending moment as well as the speed of the excess pore pressure buildup in the free-field. The critical pile failure mode in the conducted testing configuration was found to be of the bending type, which was also confirmed by a representative nonlinear numerical model of the RC pile. The experimental results of this study can be used to calibrate numerical models and provide insights on seismic pile analysis and design.     

A simplified method for unified buckling and free vibration analysis of pile-supported structures in seismically liquefiable soils

In seismic-prone zones with liquefiable deposit piles are routinely used to support structures (buildings/bridges). In this paper, a unified buckling and dynamic approach is taken to characterize this vibration. The pile–soil system is modelled as Euler–Bernoulli beam resting against an elastic support with axial load and a pile head mass with rotary inertia. The emphasis here is to obtain a simple expression that can be used by practicing engineers to obtain the fundamental frequency of the structure–pile–soil system. An approximate method based on an equivalent single-degree-of-freedom model has been proposed. Natural frequencies obtained from the exact analytical method are compared with approximate results. Proposed expressions are general as they are functions of non-dimensional parameters. It is shown that this simplified method captures the essential design features such as: (a) the continuous reduction of the first natural frequency of the structure–pile–soil system due to progressive reduction of soil stiffness due to liquefaction; (b) the reduction in the axial load-carrying capacity of the pile due to instability caused by liquefaction. The results derived in this paper have the potential to be directly applied in practice due to their simple yet general nature. An example problem has been taken to demonstrate the application of the method.     

Pile response in submerged lateral spreads: Common pitfalls of numerical and physical modeling techniques

A three dimensional dynamic numerical methodology is developed and used to back-analyze experimental data on the seismic response of single piles in laterally spreading slopes. The aim of the paper is not to seek successful a-priori (Type A) predictions, but to explore the potential of currently available numerical techniques, and also to get feedback on modeling issues and assumptions which are not yet resolved in the international literature. It is illustrated that accurate simulation of the physical pile–soil interaction mechanisms is not a routine task, as it requires the incorporation of advanced numerical features, such as an effective stress constitutive soil model that can capture cyclic response and shear-induced dilation, interface elements to simulate the flow of liquefied ground around the pile and proper calibration of soil permeability to model excess pore pressure dissipation during shaking. In addition, the “conventional tied node” formulation, commonly used to simulate lateral boundary conditions during shaking, has to be modified in order to take into account the effects of the hydrostatic pore pressure surplus that is created at the down slope free field boundary of submerged slopes. A comparative analysis with the two different lateral boundary formulations reveals that “conventional tied nodes”, which also reflect the kinematic conditions imposed by laminar box containers in centrifuge and shaking table experiments, may underestimate seismic demands along the upper part of the pile foundation.     

基于性态的液化场地多跨桥梁桩基地震响应分析

针对液化场地多跨简支桩基桥梁体系,考虑地震随机性的不确定性和认知的不确定性,结合地震危险性曲线自身的不确定性,推导性态指标危险性曲线的解析表达式.利用地震动强度指标PGV/PGA,输入不同幅值的地震动,进行液化场地多跨桩基桥梁体系地震反应有限元分析.基于有限元数值分析结果,选取地震过程中关键位置位移和弯矩的最大值作为性...     

Evaluation of pile foundation response to lateral spreading

The effects of liquefaction on deep foundations are very damaging and costly, and they keep recurring in many earthquakes. The first part of the paper reviews the field experience of deep foundations affected by liquefaction during earthquakes in the last few decades, as well as the main lessons learned. The second part of the paper presents results of physical modeling of deep foundations in the presence of liquefaction conducted by the authors and others at the 100g-ton RPI centrifuge. In the last decade centrifuge modeling has been identified as a key tool to identify and quantify mechanisms, calibrate analyses and evaluate retrofitting strategies for pile foundations. Results are presented of centrifuge models of instrumented pile foundations subjected to lateral spreading, including single pile and pile groups, 2- and 3-layer soil profiles, mass and stiffening elements above ground to incorporate the effect of the superstructure, and evaluation of proposed retrofitting strategies. Interpretations of these centrifuge experiments and their relation to field observations and soil properties.