ABSTRACT
This chapter describes past efforts to construct an experimental methodology aimed mainly at solving industrial dynamic problems in soil-structure interaction. It shows how, in the last decade, almost every dynamic problem has been modelled by correct stress simulation. The study of motion is based on miniature accelerometers which fortunately have been developed for other purposes, because virtually thousands of models were tried. The measurement of stresses for liquefaction studies merits special attention. The static value of the shear stress is essential, which can only be obtained in model tests by measurements during the revving up of the centrifuge. The present approach will be presented with a very encouraging example: comparison of simulation and prototype in tests carried out at the California Institute of Technology by Scott et al. However, large centrifuges bring a new dimension to this research because of the model's size, which is quite essential.
