Geotechnical Centrifuge Test of a Pile-Supported Wharf in Silt (BEJA01), in Centrifuge tests on pile-supported wharves subjected to combined inertial and lateral ground deformation loads

The main objective of this research is to characterize the interaction between superstructure inertial loads and lateral ground deformation demands on pile foundations. This objective will be achieved through two large-scale geotechnical centrifuge tests conducted at the Natural Hazards Engineering Research Infrastructure (NHERI) facility at UC Davis. The centrifuge model consists of a wharf structure supported by 21 piles embedded in rockfill, which imposes lateral loads on the piles. The model is subjected to lateral ground deformation resulting from liquefaction or cyclic softening of low-plasticity silts during earthquake shaking. Simultaneously, the dynamic response of the wharf deck imposes inertial loads at the tops of the piles.