Validation of Centrifuge Model Scaling for Soil Systems via Trapdoor Tests

The validity of centrifuge modeling of soil systems is investigated by means of a “yielding trapdoor” setup similar to the one used by previous researchers for examining soil arching. A modeling-of-models exercise is thus carried out in accordance with centrifuge scaling requirements. This parametric study also includes the effects of g-level, grain-size, trapdoor width, and overburden depth. Particle-size scaling may be necessary to achieve full model-prototype similitude, depending on the structure-to-grain-size ratio. However, it appears that reasonable results can be achieved with centrifuge models, using the same soil as the prototype, where the structural dimensions are at least 20 times the grain size.