Liquefied soil pressures on vertical walls with adjacent embankments

Horizontal earth pressures on rigid vertical walls in liquefied soils have extensively been studied by many researchers for the level ground surface condition. In this paper, a series of centrifuge tests was conducted to investigate the effects of embankments resting on ground surfaces on the pressure on the rigid vertical walls. In the tests, earth pressures on the rigid walls were successfully measured with built-in earth pressure cells with small accelerometers attached on them. The earth pressure cells are capable of measuring both normal and shear stresses simultaneously with a good accuracy. It appears that dynamic component of the earth pressure of liquefied sand is in proportion to the acceleration of the rigid wall irrespective of amplitude and frequency of the input motion, and increases with increasing average embankment load. On the other hand, the residual component of the earth pressure is found to be well estimated from FEM assuming the liquefied soil as an incompressible elastic body. A practical formula of the earth pressures is established for the purpose of practical use.Another series of centrifuge tests was carried out on models with solidification or densification zones below embankment toes as a remedial countermeasure against liquefaction-induced embankment failure. It was found that the proposed formulae holds valid independently of the movement of walls as long as the liquefied soil behaves as a heavy fluid, and the countermeasure does not soften significantly.     

Stone columns as liquefaction countermeasure in non-plastic silty soils

In many cases densification with vibro-stone columns cannot be obtained in non-plastic silty soils. Shear stress re-distribution concepts [1] have been previously proposed as means to assess stone columns as a liquefaction countermeasure in such non-plastic silty soils. In this study, centrifuge testing is conducted to assess the performance of this liquefaction countermeasure. Attention is focused on exploring the overall site stiffening effects due to the stone column placement rather than the drainage effects. The response of a saturated silt stratum is analyzed under base dynamic excitation conditions. In a series of four separate model tests, this stratum is studied first without, then with stone columns, as a free-field situation, and with a surface foundation surcharge. The underlying mechanism and effectiveness of the stone columns are discussed based on the recorded dynamic responses. Effect of the installed columns on excess pore pressures and deformations is analyzed and compared. The test results demonstrate that stone columns can be an effective technique in the remediation of liquefaction induced settlement of non-plastic silty deposits particularly under shallow foundations, or vertical effective stresses larger than about 45 kPa (1000 psf) in free field conditions.     

Seismic response of adjacent dense and loose saturated sand columns

Compaction or densification of loose saturated soils has been the most popular method of reducing earthquake related liquefaction potential. Such compaction of a foundation soil is only economical when limited in extent, leading to a case of an ‘island’ of improved ground (surrounded by unimproved ground). The behavior of the densified sand surrounded by liquefied loose sand during and following earthquakes is of great importance in order to design the compacted area rationally and optimize both safety and economy. This problem is studied herein by means of dynamic centrifuge model tests. The results of three heavily-instrumented dynamic centrifuge tests on saturated models of side-by-side loose and dense sand profiles are discussed. The test results suggest the following concerns as relates to ‘islands’ of densified soil: (1) there is a potential strength degradation in the densified zone as a result of pore pressure increase due to migration of pore fluid into the island from the adjacent loose liquefied ground; (2) there is a potential for lateral deformation (sliding) within the densified island as the surrounding loose soil liquefies.     

Effectiveness of vertical drains in mitigation of liquefaction

One method of mitigating the damaging effects of earthquake-induced liquefaction is to provide rapid dissipation of excess pore pressures by the use of vertical drains through the liquefiable material. Drain systems are currently designed using a chart-based approach. Field experience suggests that the performance of these installations cannot yet be accurately predicted.

In this paper, high quality centrifuge testing is used to help clarify drain behaviour. It will be established, supported by centrifuge test data, that the pore water from a radially expanding zone of soil contributing to drainage through the drains is developed. Naturally, the geometry of this expanding zone changes with time. It will be shown that fluid from deeper strata is drained first, reducing the effectiveness of the drain for near-surface soil layers. It is concluded that these zones are useful in analysing more complicated drain system geometries.     

An investigation into the lateral loading response of shallow bucket foundations for offshore wind turbines through centrifuge modeling in sand

A shallow suction bucket is a new foundation type for offshore wind turbines. Due to its large size and bulky shape, the bucket and the soil within the bucket do not necessarily deform as a whole. Moreover, limited research has been conducted on the hydrodynamic wave influence on the shallow bucket bearing response. These factors pose great challenges to the shallow bucket foundation design. This paper presents a set of centrifuge tests of a shallow bucket model subjected to monotonic and dynamic lateral loads to study the lateral bearing response of shallow bucket foundations in the field under combined loads induced by wind, waves, etc. In addition to the routine measurements (e.g., load-displacement), the soil pressures on the bucket and the distribution and evolution of the excess pore pressures in the surrounding soils are also obtained. The deformation pattern of the bucket (e.g., rotation center) is revealed through displacement measurements. Finally, the proposed easy-to-use analytical equations using the limit equilibrium to assess the bearing capacity of bucket foundations, taking into account the influence of the soil strength degradation caused by hydrodynamic wave loadings, are found to yield good results upon comparison with the centrifuge data, providing useful guidelines for the design of shallow bucket foundations.     

Seismic analysis and design of rigid bridge abutments considering rotation and sliding incorporating non-linear soil behavior

A two-dimensional (2D) finite element analytical model is developed to analyze the seismic response of rigid highway bridge abutments, retaining and founded on dry sand. A well verified finite element code named FLEX is used for this purpose. The proposed model has the following characteristics: (1) The soil (dry sand in this study) is modeled by a 2D finite element grid; (2) The bridge abutment is molded as a rigid substructure; (3) The strength and deformation of the soil are modeled using the viscous cap constitutive model. This model consists of a failure surface and hardening cap together with an associated flow rule. The cap surface is activated for the soil under the wall to represent compaction during wall rocking. In addition, viscoelastic behavior is provided for representing the hysteretic-like damping of soil during dynamic loading; (4) Interface elements are used between the wall and the soil (at the backface of the wall and under its base) to allow for sliding and for debonding/recontact behavior; (5) The finite element grid is truncated by using an absorbing boundary approximation. Using this boundary at both sides of the grid simulates the horizontal radiation of energy scattered from the wall and the excavation. Shear beams are placed adjacent to the lateral boundaries from each side which give the far-field ground motion, for comparison with those computed adjacent to the boundaries. The analytical model is verified comparing predictions to results from dynamic centrifuge tests, with satisfactory agreement. The proposed model is used to study the dynamic response of an 8.0 m high and 3.0 m wide rigid bridge abutment (proportioned using the traditional approach to design) for different sinusoidal and earthquake acceleration input motions. The results from the analysis show that outward tilting of rigid bridge abutments is the dominant mode of response during dynamic shaking and that these abutments end up with a permanent outward tilt at the end of shaking. The results from all the analyzed cases of the 8.0 m high gravity retaining wall together with those from the analysis of the tilting wall centrifuge tests are discussed and used for proposing a practical method for evaluating the seismic response of rigid abutments during earthquakes.     

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...     

Inclined loading capacity of suction piles in sand

A series of centrifuge model tests have been conducted on a model suction pile embedded in sand to evaluate its inclined pull-out loading capacity. This paper describes the centrifuge model tests, the analytical solution, and comparisons between the centrifuge model test results and the analytical predictions of the pull-out capacities of the suction pile under inclined loads. The main variables of the study are the load inclination angle and the point of mooring line attachment which varies from the top to the bottom of the suction pile’s side surface. Effects of these two parameters on the suction pile inclined pull-out loading capacity are described.     

Recent contributions of geotechnical centrifuge modelling to the understanding of jack-up spudcan behaviour

The paper presents an overview of the recent contributions of centrifuge modelling to the understanding of soil-structure interaction and the development of design and predictive methods in the field of mobile jack-up drilling rig foundations. Both advantages and limitations of the centrifuge methods are detailed and key examples are presented. The benefits provided by centrifuge modelling to the development of analysis methods that are now being used within the jack-up industry are highlighted. To conclude, industry trends and research opportunities are discussed, as is the possible role of the geotechnical centrifuge in finding solutions to these new needs.     

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.