Dynamic Excitation for Geotechnical Centrifuge Modelling

The method of physical modeling in the centrifuge is growing in acceptance in the U.S.A. following many years of use in U.S.S.R., Denmark, England, Norway, France and Japan. Simulation of dynamic events (machine vibration, wave forces, and earthquake) in modeling in the centrifuge has important applications, especially on the large national Geotechical Centrifuge being constructed at NASA-ARC. The most difficult problem is that of earthquake simulation. Several schemes for light weight shakers have been proposed in a Workshop on Dynamic Excitation for Geotechnical Centrifuge Model Testing held in August, 1979. More recently, a scheme has been presented which utilizes traveling waves generated through a diaphragm at the side of the container which has many promising advantages and does not negate the work done in shaker development, but improves their utilization