CENTRIFUGE MODEL TESTS OF TSUNAMI SEEPAGE THROUGH BREAKWATER FOUNDATION

Abstract

 Water-level difference induced by tsunami generates seepage flow in a mound of breakwaters. This flow encourages soil piping and/or boiling in a mound, and scour of original ground. The present paper describes the stability of the foundation of breakwaters subjected to seepage flow by using a technique of a centrifuge test. The similarity rule on seepage in a centrifuge was discussed, followed by seepage flow tests. The review of similarity rule demonstrated that centrifuge model tests could simulate the behaviours of piping and boiling. Then, seepage flow tests were conducted, and resulted the occurrence conditions of piping and boiling.