Large-Scale Experiments on Nonlinear Behavior of Shallow Foundations Subjected to Strong Earthquakes

Abstract

We conducted a series of 1G large-scale shake table tests and cyclic eccentric loading tests of a shallow foundation model. The experimental parameters were the difference in loading methods (i.e., dynamic and static), input seismic motions (i.e., intensity and number of cycles), soil densities (i.e., dense and medium dense), and the ratio of horizontal and overturning moment loads. The experimental data set contains the accelerations and displacements of the soil and foundation as well as the distributions of normal and shear reaction forces at the foundation base. The experimental results provide crucial data to model the coupling effect among vertical, horizontal, and overturning loads, the accumulation of irreversible displacement, and the foundation uplift, and so is one of the most complete benchmark data sets for the development and validation of numerical models for the nonlinear response of shallow foundations to strong earthquakes.