Numerical simulation of centrifuge tests on homogeneous and heterogeneous soil models

Soil liquefaction is a major cause of seismic damage in cohessionless soil during earthquakes. From past numerical and experimental research it has been observed that more excess pore water pressure (EPWP) is generated during earthquakes in a heterogeneous soil deposit than in the corresponding homogeneous soil with relative density equal to the average relative density of the heterogeneous soil. This interesting phenomenon is investigated here, by numerically simulating centrifuge experiments of seismically induced soil liquefaction using the finite element code DYNAFLOW. Two centrifuge tests are numerically simulated here: one in homogeneous soil and another in heterogeneous soil. Recorded experimental results such as accelerations, EPWP and settlements are compared with the simulated numerical results. Numerically simulated and recorded results support the conclusions of previous research that more EPWP is generated in a heterogeneous soil deposits than in the corresponding homogeneous soil.