Experimental Evaluation of Lateral Spreading of a Liquefiable Sloping Deposit Using Centrifuge and Generalized Scaling Law Tests at RPI

Two centrifuge model tests of a liquefiable sloping deposit subjected to a tapered acceleration input motion were conducted at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute as part of the Liquefaction Experiments and Analysis Projects (LEAP). The models were built at a consistent relative density Dr = 65%, observing the same methodology of model preparation, but reflected different scaling laws. Model A was designed observing the conventional similitude laws for centrifuge testing, whereas Model B was designed based on the principles of the generalized scaling laws. Albeit the response of the two models was comparable prior to liquefaction, Model B showed a higher propensity for liquefaction and exhibited higher surficial lateral displacements.