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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: GR/R20328/01
Title: In-Situ Densification as a Liquefaction Resistance Measure For Bridge Foundations
Principal Investigator: Madabhushi, Professor SPG
Other Investigators:
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Mott Macdonald
Department: Engineering
Organisation: University of Cambridge
Scheme: Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts: 01 March 2002 Ends: 31 August 2005 Value (£): 169,337
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Ground Engineering
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Construction Transport Systems and Vehicles
Related Grants:
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
The effectiveness of the in-situ vibro-densification methods to improve the liquefaction resistance of a given site needs to be understood. Understanding the mechanism of excess pore water pressure migration from the unimproved region into the densified zones below bridge foundations would lead to improvements in current design and construction practises. Optimisation of the region to be densified below will lead to more economical designs. Further, the effect of vibro-densification on the dynamic response of the bridge deck - pier - foundation system needs to be evaluated. This proposal consists of three distinct phases. In Phase I three high quality centrifuge models of saturated sand beds at different relative densities will be built using a new automatic sand pouring equipment. The excess pore pressures observed in these sand beds along with those in the literature will be used to determine the soil parameters for the P-Z Mark III soil model to be used in the numerical analysis. The Phase II will consist of six centrifuge tests of bridge systems with different geometry of densified zones below the pier foundation. In Phase III numerical predictions will be made for the same bridge system using the soil parameters from Phase I analyses. The results from FE analyses will be compared with the centrifuge test data. On satisfactory performance of the FE based numerical procedure in predicting both Phase I and II experiments, they can be used with confidence in analysing prototype bridge structures involving complex geometries and in formulating design rules for use by the Industry.
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Organisation Website: http://www.cam.ac.uk