ISSN: 1945-7545
CODEN: GTJODJ
Published Online: 1 July 2012
Page Count: 9

Dynamic Actuator for Centrifuge Modeling of Soil-Structure Interaction

Cabrera, Miguel Angel
Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering Univ. of Los Andes, Bogota,

Caicedo, Bernardo
Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering Univ. of Los Andes, Bogota,

Thorel, Luc
LUNAM Univ., IFSTTAR, Dept. of Geotechnical Engineering and Risks, Physical Modelling in Geotechnics Group, Bouguenais,

(Received 23 September 2011; accepted 7 February 2012)

Abstract

This paper presents a new dynamic actuator useful to study soil-structure interactions in a centrifuge. This new dynamic apparatus is based on an amplified piezoelectric actuator. Using this device it is possible to create vibrations in the soil sample of different frequencies and amplitudes. The dynamic actuator consists of a set of weights in a single degree of freedom system plus a piezoelectric actuator and a piezoelectric load cell, which measures the dynamic load. A description of the dynamic actuator and its application to dynamic soil-structure interaction under wind turbines is presented. The calibration of the dynamic actuator and some results of centrifuge tests for shallow and embedded foundations are presented.

Keywords:
piezoelectric actuator, soil-structure interaction, centrifuge modeling, wind turbines, foundations

Paper ID: GTJ104353
DOI: 10.1520/GTJ104353
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