Study of the effects of container boundary and slope on soil liquefaction by centrifuge modeling

Two centrifuge model tests were conducted as part of the Liquefaction Experiments and Analysis Project (LEAP), and three extra tests were used to compare with the LEAP tests. The two models selected from LEAP-GWU-2015 were prepared in rigid box with a slope angle of 5 degrees. One of the extra models was prepared in a laminar box with a slope angle of 5 degrees and has the same model properties as the models from LEAP-GWU-2015. The other two extra models were prepared as flat ground in rigid box and laminar box respectively and have the same model properties. The effects of the container boundary and the dip direction of the slope models on soil liquefaction were investigated by assessing the acceleration, excess pore water pressure, and ground surface deformation. From the test results for the model in the laminar box, it is concluded that the soil contained in a laminar box have different dynamic characteristics compared with a rigid box soil. For the models in a rigid box, the soil on the high side of the slope has larger excess pore water pressure value and the excess pore water pressure changes are greater than the soil on the low side of the slope during shaking. The interaction between the slope dip and the direction of input motion affects dynamic performance during a seismic event.