Large Diameter Soil Pressure Sensors Employed in Dynamic Shallow Foundation Testing

Abstract

Measurements of distribution and magnitude of static and dynamic earth pressures resulting from self-weight and applied loading is essential to the design, behavior, and performance of many civil engineering-type structures involving soil-structure interaction. Advancements in testing and instrumentation have allowed researchers to improve upon the original, now classic analytical models to predict earth pressures acting on retaining walls, shallow foundations, and various deep foundation elements. Ideally, soil pressure instrumentation should be tailored towards the respective engineering application and comply with the stiffness of the structural system. In addition, it is desirable to provide sufficient sensing surface area to avoid pressure localization, and install the pressure surface flush with its surroundings to minimize arching effects. A new and simple load cell based pressure sensor with a diameter of 10 cm and a capacity of 144 kPa was developed, built, and deployed in a large-scale experimental investigation. Upon describing details pertaining to the design, fabrication, and calibration of the new sensor, results from the large-scale experimental investigation on dynamic shallow foundation performance is presented.