Centrifuge modeling for an innovative sheet-pile bulkhead of diaphragm

A totally new sheet-pile bulkhead with load-relief platform supported by vertical cast-in-situ piles is proposed to meet the construction of deep water berth in the new port where there are soft clay strata in ground. It is necessary to make an investigation by physical modeling into the behavior of this new type of sheet-pile bulkhead, especially into the contribution of load-relief platform supported by vertical cast-in-situ piles. Three large geotechnical centrifuge model tests were conducted to verify the proposed design of such new port structure to be built. The contribution of load-relief platform is also displayed by comparison of behaviors of sheet-pile bulkhead of two schemes, one with load-relief platform and another without it. Also the centrifuge modeling technique for sheet-pile bulkhead is introduced including model design, model preparation, model instrumentation and testing procedure, etc.