Verification of the Generalized Scaling Law for Flat Layered Sand Deposit

Abstract

To verify the generalized scaling law, dynamic centrifuge tests under two different centrifugal accelerations of 25 g and 50 g are conducted. The model ground constitutes of a flat dry sand layer. With the scaling law, a prototype ground is scaled down to 1/100. A sinusoidal input acceleration of frequency 1.0 Hz, maximum amplitude 0.5 g, and duration 14 sec in prototype scale is applied to the model ground. Each model is exposed to the identical input motion sequentially 10 times. In total nine accelerometers are installed in the model. Surface settlements are measured by laser displacement transducers. Settlements at three different depths (300, 200 and 50 mm – model scale – from the surface) are measured by settlement gauges. Response acceleration and penetrometer resistance show good agreements in prototype scale. Measured settlements after the initial shake in prototype scale also show significant agreements between the two models when the intensity of shaking is nearly identical. As shaking continues discrepancy in settlement becomes large due to minor differences of input acceleration levels and random error associated with model constructions.