Numerical Simulations of Selected LEAP Centrifuge Experiments with PM4Sand in FLAC

Abstract

Increasing the confidence in estimates of liquefaction-induced deformations from numerical models requires careful validation of both constitutive models and numerical simulation approaches. This validation should be performed with proper consideration of the intended use of the simulation results and the uncertainty inherent in comparing numerical simulations to laboratory or physical models. This paper describes the comparison of a set of calibrated numerical simulations to the results of centrifuge experiments with a submerged, liquefiable slope. These simulations were performed as part of the 2017 LEAP simulation exercise using the constitutive model PM4Sand and the numerical platform FLAC. The simulation results were compared to those from the centrifuge to identify which aspects of the experimental response the simulations were adequately able to capture. This paper provides a description of the simulation approach including the constitutive model and numerical platform. The process of calibrating PM4Sand to the results of laboratory experiments is described. This is followed by a description of the system-level simulations and a comparison of the simulation results with the experimental results. A sensitivity study was performed to examine trends in the simulation response and a discussion of the findings from this study is presented.