Centrifuge modeling of a large-scale surcharge on adjacent foundation

Abstract

This study investigates the ground and structural response of adjacent raft foundations induced by large-scale surcharge by ore in soft soil areas through a centrifuge modeling test. The prototype of the test is a coastal iron ore yard with a natural foundation of deep soft soil. Therefore, it is necessary to adopt some measures to reduce the influence of the large-scale surcharge on the adjacent raft foundation, such as installing stone columns for foundation treatment. Under an acceleration of 130 g, the model conducts similar simulations of iron ore, stone columns, and raft foundation structures. The tested soil mass has dimensions of 900 mm × 700 mm × 300 mm (length × width × depth), which is remodeled from the soil extracted from the drilling holes. The test conditions are consistent with the actual engineering conditions and the effects of four-level loading conditions on the composite foundation of stone columns, unreinforced zone, and raft foundations are studied. An automatic layer-by-layer loading device was developed to simulate the loading process of actual engineering more realistically. The composite foundation of stone columns had a large settlement after the loading, forming an obvious settlement trough and causing the surface of the unreinforced zone to rise. The 12 m surcharge loading causes a horizontal displacement of 13.19 cm and a vertical settlement of 1.37 m in the raft foundation. The stone columns located on both sides of the unreinforced zone suffered significant shear damage at the sand-mud interface. Due to the reinforcement effect of stone columns, the sand layer below the top of the stone columns moves less. Meanwhile, the horizontal earth pressure in the raft foundation zone increases slowly. The stone columns will form new drainage channels and accelerate the dissipation of excess pore pressure.