ABSTRACT
A large flexible shear stack, measuring 5m long by lm wide and 1.2m deep, has been developed to provide data on the behaviour of simple direct foundations subject to seismic loading. The work formed part of the European Union funded PREC8 Network project carrying out pre-normative research for Eurocode 8. The paper describes the design studies for the shear stack and the initial development testing to prove the design concept. The shear stack replicated idealised soil layer boundary conditions and produced non-linear soil behaviour similar to a previous smaller flexible shear stack. The aims of the foundation test programme are outlined.
