In addition to a model test stand for investigating the axial behavior of piles, the installation process of piles, laterally loaded piles and the investigation of suction buckets, the IGtH now also has a further test stand. In this small-scale model test, gravity base foundations are to be loaded cyclically under drained and undrained conditions in order to investigate the accumulation of displacement and excess pore pressure.
A special electric servo-cylinder from the company ZwickRoell is used for slow as well as fast loading of the small scale gravity base foundation model. It is especially designed for this purpose. The small-scale foundation is equipped with earth-pressure as well as pore pressure sensors. All data is collected with the sate-of-the-art data acquisition software. The servo-cylinder has recently been installed and is a core component of new model stand. Here is a video that shows first impressions of applied cyclic loadings.
When dealing with model tests special care has to be taken regarding the correct sensor measurements and reproducibility. Therefore, all sensors are now installed and calibrated as well as the distribution of relative density within the small scale test tank is investigated by using a dynamic probe and soil samples for different depths. The test tank is prepared by using a vibrating table as well as soil pre-loosening with water jets.
More on subproject B04: Overview and research topics B04
