Dynamic behavior of a square foundation in planar motion on a sand stratum

A comprehensive experimental study was conducted to explore the dynamic soil-structure interaction problem of square footings resting on a sand stratum by means of centrifuge modeling. To capture the horizontal, vertical and rocking response characteristics of the foundation, a program of forced hybrid-mode vibration tests in the form of eccentric vertical excitation on 4 foundation models was pursued. Corresponding to a variety of prototype foundation inertial and bearing pressure conditions, the response time histories and frequency response functions were obtained. With the aid of the experimental data, an evaluation of the performance of the traditional homogeneous and square-root-of-depth modulus theoretical soil models for the shallow sand stratum problem is also included.

► An experimental study of planar dynamics of square footings on a sand stratum. ► Multi-mode characteristics for 20 prototype size-bearing pressure levels extracted. ► Hundreds of time- and frequency-domain data sets for general engineering usage. ► A companion experimental database to its published seismic free-field counterpart. ► A critical asessment of homogeneous and power-law modulus stratum solutions.