ANALYSIS OF CANLEX LIQUEFACTION EMBANKMENTS - PROTOTYPE AND CENTRIFUGE MODELS

A major aim of the Canadian Liquefaction Experiment (CANLEX) was to ve rify analysis procedures for predicting Liquefaction phenomena. Toward s this purpose, two loading events were carried out: a field event com prised of an embankment built over a loose sand foundation layer, and a centrifuge test performed on a model of the prototype structure. Bot h the field event and the centrifuge model were planned so as to induc e a static Liquefaction failure. The fundamental mechanical characteri stics of the foundation layer were determined in laboratory element te sts (triaxial and simple shear). These characteristics were first capt ured for an element by using an elastic-plastic stress-strain constitu tive model. The prototype and scaled structures were then modelled as a collection of such elements. Drainage was a very important factor du ring the loading and was directly incorporated in the analysis procedu re. The predicted results are in good agreement with those of both the centrifuge test and field measurements.