Numerical simulations of seismic centrifuge tests: Validation of pore water pressure models in sand

A realistic prediction of excess pore water pressure generation and the onset of liquefaction during earthquakes are crucial when performing effective seismic site response analysis. In the present research, the validation of two pore water pressure (PWP) models, namely energy-based GMP and strain-based VD models implemented in a one-dimensional site response analysis code, was conducted by comparing numerical predictions with high-quality seismic centrifuge test measurements. A careful discussion on the selection of input soil parameters for numerical simulations was made with particular emphasis on the PWP model parameter calibration which was based on undrained stress-controlled/strain-controlled cyclic simple shear (CSS) tests carried out on the same sand used in the centrifuge test. The results of the study reveal that the energy-based model predicts at all depths peak pore water pressures and dissipation behaviour in a satisfactory way with respect to experimental measurements, whereas the strain-based model underestimates the PWP measurements at low depths. Further comparisons of the acceleration response spectra illustrate that both the strain- and energy-based models provide higher computed spectral accelerations near the ground surface compared with the recorded ones, whereas the agreement is reasonable at middle depth. • Numerical analyses of seismic centrifuge tests on sand were performed by DEEPSOIL code. • Calibration of parameters of two PWP models implemented in the code was based on undrained CSS tests. • Energy-based model provides good agreement with the values measured in centrifuge. • Strain-based model underestimates PWP with respect to recordings at shallow depths. • Permeability k affects both R u,max and dissipation rate in numerical analysis.