Centrifuge and numerical modeling of the behavior of homogeneous embankment on liquefiable soil subjected to dynamic excitation

Abstract

Centrifuge and numerical modeling are developed to investigate the behavior of a homogeneous embankment constructed on a liquefiable sand ground, which was prepared with wet under-compaction method. The physical centrifuge modeling directly highlights the response of the centrifuge model in terms of excess pore pressure, acceleration response, settlement, and the deformation pattern of the embankment model. In parallel, a numerical simulation using FEM is conducted. The advanced constitutive model, PM4Sand, is adopted to simulate the liquefaction of the sand ground. The performance of the numerical model is then verified against the results of the centrifuge test. Overall, the numerical simulation aligns well with the centrifuge test. Finally, the verified numerical model is refined to include two improved boundaries, and the potential boundary effects in centrifuge and numerical models are discussed.