Centrifuge tests on some soil-structure interaction problems

The centrifuge testing method has been used to study various soil-structure interaction problems. The problems involve structures that move through the soil, such as ship wall collapse, scouring icebergs, upheaval of buried pipes and buckling of driven large diameter piles. The advantage of the small scale models is that they can be modified quickly and easily. The tests can be reproduced accurately, so that the effect of small changes in boundary conditions can be made visible. The tests have produced some interesting results, which can be used in engineering practice.