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{{Short description|Physical scale model tested in a large geotechnical centrifuge}}
<!--{{more footnotes|date=January 2012}}-->
[[File:Geotechnical centrifuge at the University of California, Davis..png|thumb|{{convert|9|m|ft|adj=mid|-radius|0}} geotechnical [[centrifuge]] at the University of California, Davis]]
'''Geotechnical centrifuge modeling''' is a technique for testing physical scale models of [[geotechnical|geotechnical engineering]] systems such as natural and man-made slopes and earth retaining structures and building or bridge foundations.<ref name=craig2001>{{cite book
| last1=Craig | first1=W.H. | year=2001
| chapter=The seven ages of centrifuge modelling
| title=Proc. Workshop on constitutive and centrifuge modeling: two extremes
| pages=165-174
}}</ref>
The scale [[Physical model|model]] is typically constructed in the laboratory and then loaded onto the end of the [[centrifuge]], which is typically between {{convert|0.2|and|10|m|ft|1}} in radius. The purpose of spinning the models on the centrifuge is to increase the [[g-force]]s on the model so that stresses in the model are equal to stresses in the prototype. For example, the stress beneath a {{convert|0.1|m|ft|adj=mid|-deep|1}} layer of model [[Soil mechanics|soil]] spun at a centrifugal acceleration of 50 g produces stresses equivalent to those beneath a {{convert|5|m|ft|adj=mid|-deep|0}} prototype layer of soil in earth's [[gravity]].
The idea to use centrifugal acceleration to simulate increased gravitational acceleration was first proposed by Phillips (1869).<ref
| last1=Phillips | first1=Edouard | year=1869
| title=De l’equilibre des solides elastiques semblables
| publisher=C. R. Acad. Sci., Paris
| volume=68 | pages=75–79
}}</ref> Pokrovsky and Fedorov (1936)<ref>{{Citation
| last1=Pokrovsky | first1=G. Y. | last2=Fedorov | first2=I. S. | year=1936
| title=Studies of soil pressures and soil deformations by means of a centrifuge
| publisher=Proc. 1st Int. Conf. On Soil Mechanics & Foundation Engineering
| volume=1
}}</ref> in the Soviet Union and Bucky (1931) <ref>{{Citation
| last1=Bucky | first1=P.B. | year=1931
| title=The use of models for the study of mining problems
| publisher=New York: Am. Inst. Of Min. & Met. Engng.
| volume= Technical Publication 425
}}</ref> in the United States were the first to implement the idea. [[Andrew N. Schofield]] (e.g. Schofield 1980)<ref>{{Citation
| last1=Schofield | first1=A. N. | year=1980
| title=Cambridge geotechnical centrifuge operations
| publisher=Géotechnique | volume=30 | issue=3 | pages=227–268
}}</ref> played a key role in modern development of centrifuge modeling.
==Principles of centrifuge modeling==
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===Typical applications===
[[File:Centrifuge Model of a Port Structure.png|thumb|Model of a port structure loaded on the UC Davis centrifuge]]
A geotechnical centrifuge is used to test models of geotechnical problems such as the strength, stiffness and capacity of foundations for bridges and buildings, settlement of embankments,<ref>
| last1=Malushitsky | year=1975
| title=The centrifugal modelling of waste-heap embankments
| publisher=Russian edition, Kiev, English translation edited by A. N. Schofield, Cambridge University Press (1981)
}}</ref> stability of slopes, earth retaining structures,<ref>{{cite book
| last1=Mikasa | first1=M. | last2=Takada | first2=N. | last3=Yamada | first3=K.| year=1969
| chapter=Centrifugal model test of a rockfill dam.
| title=Proc. 7th Int. Conf. Soil Mechanics & Foundation Engineering 2:
| pages=325–333
| publisher=México: Sociedad Mexicana de Mecánica de Suelos.
}}</ref> tunnel stability and seawalls. Other applications include explosive cratering,<ref name=schmidt1988>{{cite book
| last1=Schmidt | first1=Robert M. | year=1988
| chapter=Centrifuge contributions to cratering technology
| title=Centrifuges in Soil Mechanics
| veditors=Craig et al.
| pages=199-202
| publisher=Balkema
}}</ref> contaminant migration in ground water, frost heave and sea ice. The centrifuge may be useful for scale modeling of any large-scale nonlinear problem for which gravity is a primary driving force.
===Reason for model testing on the centrifuge===
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===Scaling laws===
Note that in this article, the asterisk on any quantity represents the scale factor for that quantity. For example, in <math>x^* = \frac{x_{m}} {x_{p}}</math>, the subscript m represents "model" and the subscript p represents "prototype" and <math>x^* \,</math> represents the scale factor for the quantity <math>x \,</math>
The reason for spinning a model on a centrifuge is to enable small scale models to feel the same effective stresses as a full-scale prototype. This goal can be stated mathematically as
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:<math>\sigma^t = \rho g H \,</math>
where <math> \rho </math> represents the density of the layer and <math> g</math> represents gravity. In the conventional form of centrifuge modeling,<ref
:<math> \rho^* = 1 \,</math>
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:<math>T^* = L^{*2} \,</math>
For model tests involving both dynamics and diffusion, the conflict in time scale factors may be resolved by scaling the permeability of the soil
| last1=Garnier | first1=J. | last2=Gaudin | first2=C.
| last3=Springman | first3=S.M. | last4=Culligan | first4=P.J.
| last5=Goodings | first5=D.J. | last6=Konig | first6=D.
| last7=Kutter | first7=B.L. | last8=Phillips | first8=R.
| last9=Randolph | first9=M.F. | last10=Thorel | first10=L.
| year=2007
| title=Catalogue of scaling laws and similitude questions in geotechnical centrifuge modelling
| journal=International Journal of Physical Modelling in Geotechnics
| volume=7 | issue=3 | pages=1–23
}}</ref>
====Scaling of other quantitites====
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Scale factors for many other quantities can be derived from the above relationships. The table below summarizes common scale factors for centrifuge testing.
Scale Factors for Centrifuge Model Tests (from Garnier et al., 2007 <ref name=garnier2007/>)
(Table is suggested to be added here)
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[[File:Schematic Piles In Centrifuge Model.jpg|thumb|Schematic of a model containing piles in sloping ground. The dimensions are given in prototype scale. For this experiment the scale factor was 30 or 50.]]
[[File:BrandenbergSoilexcavation.jpg|thumb|Excavation of a centrifuge model after liquefaction and lateral spreading.]]
{{more citations needed section|date=January 2021}}
Large earthquakes are infrequent and unrepeatable but they can be devastating. All of these factors make it difficult to obtain the required data to study their effects by post earthquake field investigations. Instrumentation of full scale structures is expensive to maintain over the large periods of time that may elapse between major temblors, and the instrumentation may not be placed in the most scientifically useful locations. Even if engineers are lucky enough to obtain timely recordings of data from real failures, there is no guarantee that the instrumentation is providing repeatable data. In addition, scientifically educational failures from real earthquakes come at the expense of the safety of the public. Understandably, after a real earthquake, most of the interesting data is rapidly cleared away before engineers have an opportunity to adequately study the failure modes.
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==Verification of numerical models==
{{more citations needed section|date=January 2021}}
Centrifuge tests can also be used to obtain experimental data to verify a design procedure or a computer model. The rapid development of computational power over recent decades has revolutionized engineering analysis. Many computer models have been developed to predict the behavior of geotechnical structures during earthquakes and other loads. Before a computer model can be used with confidence, it must be proven to be valid based on evidence. The meager and unrepeatable data provided by natural earthquakes, for example, is usually insufficient for this purpose. Verification of the validity of assumptions made by a computational algorithm is especially important in the area of geotechnical engineering due to the complexity of soil behavior. Soils exhibit highly non-linear behavior, their strength and stiffness depend on their stress history and on the water pressure in the pore fluid, all of which may evolve during the loading caused by an earthquake. The computer models which are intended to simulate these phenomena are very complex and require extensive verification. Experimental data from centrifuge tests is useful for verifying assumptions made by a computational algorithm. If the results show the computer model to be inaccurate, the centrifuge test data provides insight into the physical processes which in turn stimulates the development of better computer models.
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==References==
<references/>
{{refbegin}}
*Schofield (1993), From cam clay to centrifuge models, JSSMFE Vol. 41, No. 5 Ser. No. 424 pp 83– 87, No. 6 Ser. No. 425 pp 84–90, No. 7, Ser. No. 426 pp 71–78.
{{refend}}
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* [https://www.issmge.org/committees/technical-committees/fundamentals/physical-modelling Technical committee on physical modelling in geotechnics]
* [http://www.issmge.org/ International Society for Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090409030828/http://www.asce.org/asce.cfm American Society of Civil Engineers]
[[Category:Tests in geotechnical laboratories]]
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