Closure to “performance of a transparent Flexible Shear Beam container for geotechnical centrifuge modelling of dynamic problems” by Ghayoomi M., Dashti S., and McCartney J.S.

Abstract In response to the discussion, this closure presents a new set of analyses to confirm the satisfactory performance of the recently-developed transparent Flexible Shear Beam (FSB) container and its limitations. The lateral deformations of the box estimated using Finite Element analyses and measured during centrifuge experiments were compared. The maximum deformation to height ratio was sufficiently small to retain at-rest lateral earth pressures for loose to medium-dense cohesionless soils and all cohesive materials. In addition, higher frequency modes of vibration were estimated for the container, and were found to occur where the earthquake energy is less significant. Further, the box is expected to approximately replicate free field conditions under 1-D horizontal shaking for the range of soil properties under investigation. Overall, the deformation and vibration analyses indicate that the selection of appropriate rubber material properties and boundary conditions are critical when analyzing the performance of the container.

[1]  B. Hardin,et al.  VIBRATION MODULUS OF NORMALLY CONSOLIDATED CLAY , 1968 .

[2]  Seiichi Kawahara,et al.  Mechanical properties and cross-linking structure of cross-linked natural rubber , 2012 .

[3]  Braja M. Das,et al.  Principles of Soil Dynamics , 1992 .

[4]  G. M. Swallowe.  Mechanical Properties and Testing of Polymers , 1999 .

[5]  Mandar M. Dewoolkar,et al.  Seismic Behavior of Cantilever Retaining Walls with Liquefiable Backfills , 2001 .

[6]  Shideh Dashti,et al.  Performance of a transparent Flexible Shear Beam container for geotechnical centrifuge modeling of dynamic problems , 2013 .

[7]  Ronald Y. S. Pak,et al.  Parametric Gmax sounding of granular soils by vibration methods , 2008 .

[8]  S. Thevanayagam,et al.  Laminar Box System for 1-g Physical Modeling of Liquefaction and Lateral Spreading , 2009 .

[9]  Xiangwu Zeng,et al.  Design and performance of an equivalent-shear-beam container for earthquake centrifuge modelling , 1996 .

[10]  F. E. Richart,et al.  Elastic Wave Velocities in Granular Soils , 1963 .

[11]  B. Hardin,et al.  SAND STIFFNESS UNDER VARIOUS TRIAXIAL STRESSES , 1966 .

[12]  C. R. I. Clayton,et al.  Earth Pressure and Earth-Retaining Structures, Second Edition , 1993 .

[13]  E. A. Subaida,et al.  Standardization of Test Procedure for Tension Test on Coir Yarns and Woven Coir Geotextiles , 2009 .

[14]  C. B. Crouse,et al.  Centrifuge liquefaction tests in a laminar box , 1988 .

[15]  Stuart K. Haigh,et al.  Discussion of "Performance of a transparent flexible shear beam container for geotechnical centrifuge modelling of dynamic problems by Ghayoomi, Dashti and McCartney" , 2014 .

[16]  W. A. Take,et al.  Soil deformation measurement using particle image velocimetry (PIV) and photogrammetry , 2003 .

[17]  H. Seed.  Soil moduli and damping factors for dynamic response analyses , 1970 .