Model container design for soil-structure interaction studies

Abstract

Physical modelling of scaled models is an established method for understanding failure mechanisms and verifying design hypothesis in earthquake geotechnical engineering practice. One of the requirements of physical modelling for these classes of problems is the replication of semi-infinite extent of the ground in a finite dimension model soil container. This chapter is aimed at summarizing the requirements for a model container for carrying out seismic soil-structure interactions (SSI) at 1-g (shaking table) and N-g (geotechnical centrifuge at N times earth's gravity). A literature review has identified six types of soil container which are summarised and critically reviewed herein. The specialised modelling techniques entailed by the application of these containers are also discussed. © Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2012.