ISSN: 1945-7545
CODEN: GTJODJ
Page Count: 6

The Centrifuge as a Research Tool

Cheney, JA
Professor, University of California, Davis, CA

Fragaszy, RJ
Associate professor, Washington State University, Pullman, WA

Abstract

The principal uses of the centrifuge in geotechnical research are discussed following a short historical review. The principle of centrifuge modeling is based upon the requirement of similarity by model and prototype. This requirement can be determined either by analysis of governing differential equations or by dimensional analysis and the theory of models. Verification of similarity may be established by direct comparison with full-scale objects (usually prohibitively expensive) or by comparison with model tests at other scales (modeling of models). Centrifuge tests can also provide data for verification of numerical models and for theorizing on the fundamental behavior of soil structures.

Keywords:
centrifuges, gravity, dimensional analysis, physical modeling, centrifuge modeling, modeling, geotechnical research, similarity, theory of models, modeling of models, gravity scaling

Paper ID: GTJ10499J
DOI: 10.1520/GTJ10499J
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