Centrifuge Modelling for Civil Engineers

Centrifuge modelling involves testing of small scale models in the enhanced gravity field of a geotechnical Method centrifuge. This technique is particularly useful in testing materials such as soils which exhibit non-linear stress-strain behaviour and can suffer significant plastic strains. Centrifuge modelling is proven to be particularly effective in determining the failure mechanisms for a wide variety of geotechnical problems. The scale model is typically constructed in the laboratory and then loaded onto the end of the centrifuge, which is typically between 0.2 and 10 metres (0.7 and 32.8 ft) in radius. The purpose of spinning the models on the centrifuge is to increase the g-forces on the model so that stresses in the model are equal to stresses in the prototype.