ABSTRACT
This paper presents a number of different approaches that can be used to produce small scale models of soil reinforcing elements (here, piles and plant roots) for which similitude of relative soil-structure stiffness and soil-structure strength can be achieved simultaneously. This includes a discussion of the appropriate dimensionless groups that should be satisfied and a description of the modelling procedures. This is achieved via a series of worked examples of centrifuge model design for steel tubular piles, square reinforced concrete piles and plant roots, though the methods can in principle be applied to other types of reinforcement including retaining walls and soil nails. It is hoped that these will prove to be useful guidance in model design for those new to centrifuge modelling. The modelling procedures demonstrate how principles from materials science can be creatively applied to achieve simultaneous similitude of strength and stiffness, including (i) the use of heat-treatment processing of metal alloys; (ii) development of a micro reinforced concrete based on an understanding of size effect in brittle materials; and (iii) use of materials selection charts for identification of suitable analogue materials. The paper concludes with examples of the application of these procedures in assessing the resilience of reinforced slopes to earthquake ground motions using centrifuge modelling to determine whether vegetation (plant roots) can be used as a low-carbon alternative to conventional ‘hard’ engineering methods for such a problem.
