Analysis of Seismic Settlements and Pore Pressures in Centrifuge Tests

Abstract

An analytical approach has been developed to predict permanent settlements of foundations subjected to earthquake shaking. The validity of this approach is evaluated through comparison with results from centrifuge tests simulating the response of a tank foundation resting upon saturated sand and subjected to earthquake‐like shaking. Analyses are carried out for different values of soil permeability to back‐calculate the in situ permeability of the sand and demonstrate the effect of partial drainage. Good correlation exists between predicted and measured response for in situ permeability within the range of laboratory measured values. The results also demonstrate that partial drainage may occur even during high‐frequency dynamic loadings, with significant effect on settlements and excess pore pressures.