ABSTRACT
Within the framework of this discussion, reference is made to some of the problems of modelling soil-structure interaction, and comparisons are presented between results of centrifugal model tests and classical theories, conventional design methods and results of tests on prototypes. Boon and Craig, Ovesen and Dickin and Leung all used centrifuge modelling to demonstrate the importance of the scale effect in the study of anchors. Comparing theoretical predictions to observed displacements, Poulos found that the theory tends to underestimate the interaction effect at small spacings, and overestimates them at large spacings. This effect was also observed by Barton in centrifugal model tests on laterally loaded pile groups in sand. Centrifuge modelling has been used successfully by several researchers to study various aspects of soil-retaining structure interaction. Kiessar and Frydman are presently carrying out an investigation of earth pressures on rigid retaining walls located close to rock excavations.
