Centrifugal modelling : a remedy of scaling error effect in geotechnical modelling?

• Main Author: Nazir, Ramli
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Faculty of Civil Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia 1994
• Subjects: TA Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General)
• Online Access: http://eprints.utm.my/id/eprint/27857/1/RamliNazir1994_CentrifugalModellingaRemedyofScalingError.pdf; http://eprints.utm.my/id/eprint/27857/; http://www.civil.utm.my/content.php?id=387&cid=204&lang=1

Serious scaling effect has been overlooked since the concept of modelling technique was introduced. Even though dimensional analysis is the best tool when relating the model-prototype however, the scaling of stresses needs yet to be justified. This paper demonstrates the presence of scaling effect by comparing 3 model studies based on a centrifugal and conventional small model test using sand as an embedment media. This enables potential errors in direct extrapolation of the latter to field scale to be evaluated.