Modeling of complex geotechnical problems on a small scale is difficult due to the non-linearity and stress dependency of soil’s behavior. Nonetheless, the response of a soil-structure system can be simulated on a small scale by Centrifuge Modeling. Such a testing process utilizes centrifugal forces to re-create the in-situ stress conditions.
A centrifuge model can replicate the initial stress conditions by increasing the gravitational acceleration by n times in a 1/n scaled model. This is achieved by applying a gravitational field created by the rotation of the model. Consequently, the real-scale effective stresses and groundwater pressures of the soil are achieved and therefore the behavior of the system can be investigated in a highly-controlled and instrumented environment.
Using centrifuge modeling, the actual stress-strain behavior and failure mechanism of soil-structure systems can be captured. Therefore, centrifuge modeling can provide information about stress-strain relationships of difficult-to-test materials and systems. Moreover, given that, in reality, consolidation settlements can last for a significant period of time (years in some cases), centrifuge tests accelerate the consolidation process as the drainage paths are shortened by n times. Consequently, the procedure is accelerated by n2 times, a fact which proves highly beneficial in modeling numerous geotechnical engineering applicationsThe complex relationship of stresses and strains for soils involved in the geotechnical projects a...
The following was prepared by Dr. Ronald B.J. Brinkgreve, and first presented by Virtuosity. Numeri...
The following was prepared by Dr. Ronald B.J. Brinkgreve, and first presented by Virtuosity. In a p...
The following was prepared by Dr. Ronald B.J. Brinkgreve, and first presented by Virtuosity. The te...
Geostatic stresses When the soil has a horizontal surface and there is no horizontal variabilit...
What is Soil Consolidation? Soil Consolidation refers to the process in which the volume of a satu...
Soil dynamic laboratory tests are conducted on specimens retrieved from the area of interest, and...
Overburden Stress, also called Vertical Stress or Overburden Pressure, is the pressure imposed on a...