Centrifuge Modeling And Numerical Analysis Of Deformations Of A Caisson Quay Wall

Rapid development of port engineering has increased competition and the demand for better transportation structures. Although centrifuge modeling has been an effective mean of simulating the deformation of costal structures, the deformations obtained from the tests are usually different from those in actual situation. The main objective of the thesis is to investigate the deformation of a caisson quay wall– foundation system based on well designed centrifuge models and numerical simulation in terms of finite element method. The main content of the thesis are as followings.1) Three groups of centrifuge tests were performed to investigate deformations of the caisson quaywall on sand cushion in clayey soil. Model scale, consolidation procedure, and dry density of the clay were varied to estimate their effects on the deformations of the quay wall and foundation. Based on the centrifuge study, it was indicated that to ensure an adequate consolidation procedure and a dry density of the soil which represent actual situation and relative large model scale in order to obtain reliable results.2) Based on finite element software ABAQUS, numerical analysis associated with consolidation and deformation is preformed to study the centrifuge models and prototypes quay wall. The numerical results indicate a good agreement with the centrifuge tests. The simulation of the practical quaywall evaluate displacements, excess pore pressures, stresses in the clay during construction and afterward. In terms of the results, it is indicated that the deformation of caisson -foundation system is affected by various factors, such as the properties of the foundation soils, the construction procedure.