Centrifuge observations on combined loading of a strip footing on dense sand

Abstract

Experimental observations on the behaviour of a small-scale model strip footing on dense sand subjected to combined loading under an enhanced gravitational field are presented. These observations are interpreted within the framework of plasticity-based force-resultant models, established earlier under 1g conditions, with the aim of describing changes of behaviour between small-scale 1g and centrifuge models. The comparison reflects the tendency of 1g-based observations to overestimate, on the unsafe side, the normalised deviatoric load capacity for low levels of V0/Vpeak. On the other hand, the 1g-based response is found to be conservative compared to centrifuge-obtained responses for high levels of V0/Vpeak.