Centrifuge modeling of artesian response in silty-interlayered deep sandy deposits: Influence of underlying sand thickness
Centrifuge modeling of artesian response in silty-interlayered deep sandy deposits: Influence of underlying sand thickness
Understanding the role of underlying sand layers in stratified soils is essential for clarifying liquefaction mechanisms under high-stress conditions. Previous studies have primarily focused on the effects of low-permeability interlayers; however, the influence of the thickness of the underlying sand layer on pore water pressure redistribution and artesian response remains insufficiently understood. In this study, two centrifuge shaking table tests were conducted under unequal stress similarity conditions to investigate the dynamic responses of layered foundations with different underlying sand layer thicknesses. The results indicate that the thickness of the underlying sand layer governs not only the magnitude but also the persistence of excess pore water pressure. A thicker underlying sand layer acts as a pressure reservoir, promoting the development of upward hydraulic gradients and sustaining artesian pressure, which leads to delayed pore pressure dissipation, deeper liquefaction development, and significant weakening of the overlying soils. These findings demonstrate that the underlying sand layer plays a critical role in liquefaction under constrained drainage conditions and highlight its importance in seismic design and liquefaction risk assessment of deep stratified foundations.
Yi Wu
11th International Conference on Physical Modelling in Geotechnics (ICPMG2026)
Special Session 10: Liquefaction Experiments and Analysis Projects – Lesson Learned from LEAP-Asia-2025
https://doi.org/10.53243/ICPMG2026-430