Geotechnical Centrifuge Fault Simulation System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional physical model tests under normal gravity fail to accurately reproduce the stress states of soil and rock materials, and current earthquake disaster studies cannot simulate the impact of fault movement on engineering structures crossing faults, leading to inaccurate predictions of ground motion effects.
Innovation Solution
A geotechnical centrifuge platform-based earthquake fault simulation system that simulates hypergravity conditions, replicating real stress states and simulating earthquake generation and propagation effects by using a horizontal actuation system to apply thrusts to simulated fault blocks and site covering layers, allowing for the dynamic response characteristics of engineering structures under fault crossing scenarios to be accurately assessed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional scaled model tests under normal gravity are used, then the test setup is simple, but the stress states of soil and rock materials cannot be accurately reproduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the gravitational parameter by using a centrifuge to create hypergravity conditions (multiple times normal gravity). This allows scaled models to experience stress states proportional to full-scale conditions, resolving the contradiction between simple test setup and accurate stress state reproduction.
2Ease of operation
If bottom vibration tables are used to apply uniform earthquake motions, then the testing method is simple, but scenarios where engineering structures cross faults cannot be simulated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the model into distinct components: fault blocks representing the fault zone and site covering layers representing the surrounding ground. The horizontal actuation system can independently control the movement of fault blocks relative to site covering layers, enabling simulation of fault crossing scenarios while maintaining operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic relative movement between fault blocks and site covering layers through the horizontal actuation system. This allows the simulation of earthquake scenarios where faults move independently of the surrounding ground, enhancing the adaptability for fault crossing scenarios while keeping the testing method manageable.
3Ease of manufacture
If ground motion synthesis models based on measured earthquake records are used, then the modeling process is straightforward, but earthquake source mechanisms and propagation path effects cannot be considered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a physical copy of the earthquake generation process through the horizontal actuation system, which reproduces fault rupture movements and their effects on site covering layers. This physical copying allows direct observation and measurement of source mechanisms and propagation path effects, improving ground motion prediction accuracy while keeping the modeling process relatively straightforward.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This system effectively reproduces true stress states and simulates fault rupture processes, providing a scientific basis for evaluating earthquake performance of structures crossing faults and synthesizing ground motions, overcoming limitations of traditional methods by accurately simulating complex earthquake conditions.
Implementation Method 1
simulates hyper gravity environment through a geotechnical centrifuge platform
Implementation Method 2
applying thrusts to the same through a horizontal actuation system
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a geotechnical centrifuge platform-based earthquake fault simulation system, involving the field of earthquake disaster simulation technology. A bottom support system of the geotechnical centrifuge platform-based earthquake fault simulation system is used to support a horizontal actuation system and simulate earthquake faults and site covering layers. The horizontal actuation system is used to apply horizontal thrusts to simulated earthquake faults and site covering layers. The simulated earthquake faults are used to fill fault test blocks to simulate bedrock layers of earthquake faults and the site covering layers are used to fill sand layer materials onto surfaces of the simulated earthquake faults to simulate soil layers of the earthquake faults.