Drum centrifuge tests of surface and embedded footings on sand

Circular footing tests on sand have been carried out in the UWA drum centrifuge at a radial acceleration of 100 g. The main purpose of the experiments was to compare the combined loading response of a surface circular plate, a buried plate and a skirted foundation. The embedment depth to diameter ratio (L/D) of both the embedded foundation models was 0.5. Vertical loading, radial displacement and swipe tests producing vertical (V) and horizontal loads and overturning moment (M) loads have been carried out for each foundation type. Combined loads were applied by using a fixed arm to apply predominantly horizontal loading and a hinged arm to achieve a direct rotation of the foundation about its load reference point. All the experiments have been designed and conducted to allow the results to be interpreted within a strain hardening plasticity framework.