Design and performance of an equivalent-shear-beam container for earthquake centrifuge modelling

X. Zeng, A. N. Schofield

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

131 Scopus citations

Abstract

A model container used on a shaking table should cause stress and strain in the model similar to that in a soil layer of infinite lateral extent and finite depth. This paper reports the design and results of preliminary tests of a new type of centrifuge model container for earthquake tests - an equivalent-shear-beam container. The model is made of rectangular frames of aluminium alloy spaced by rubber layers so as to achieve the same dynamic stiffness as the soil it contains. To sustain the complementary shear stresses induced by base shaking at each end wall, a flexible and inextensible frictional sheet is introduced. Data of centrifuge tests indicate that this model container satisfies certain requiremtns for an ideal model confinement for centrifuge modelling of earthquake design conditions.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)83-102
Number of pages20
JournalGeotechnique
Volume46
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 1996

Keywords

  • Centrifuge modelling
  • Earthquakes
  • Laboratory equipment
  • Model tests
  • Stiffness

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