Key characteristics
The geotechnical centrifuge in Nantes is equipped with an earthquake simulator and a robotic manipulator and uses small-scale models to study the behaviour of geotechnical structures such as foundations, offshore anchorages, fill or retaining walls. It is the only such facility for geotechnical applications in France and one of the largest in the world. It is used by stakeholders and industry for various applications in the field of geotechnics but also, for example, the certification of aeronautical and medical equipment.
Characteristics:
- Studies on 1/100 small-scale models (volume ~ 1 m3)
- Permanent team : 4 researchers + 5 technicians
- One of the main geo-centrifuge in Europe
Equipment
- A large geo-centrifuge (5.5m radius)
- A payload of 2t at 100×g
- A 4-axes robot for in-flight operations up to 100×g
- An embarked earthquake simulator (sine or multi-frequency seismic inputs)
- A set of 300 sensors
- A series of hydraulic & electric jacks (force or displacement controlled)
Services
- Parametric studies (geometries, loadings,…)
- Data acquisition in a macrogravity field, Image analysis
- Technical support for the desing of small scale models
- In-flight soil investigation (Penetrometer, T-Bar, vane, …)
Example of MRE applications
- Characterisation of foundation systems such as piles, suction anchors, helical piles, shallow foundations
- Monotonic, cyclic or seismic loadings
