The Development of Centrifugal Models to Study the Influence of Uplift Pressures on the Stability of a Floodbank - Continued Studies

摘要

A series of small scale two dimensional models have been tested on the Cambridge Geotechnical Centrifuge. The models represent in an idealized form a clay embankment built on a clay foundation layer that overlies a pervious granular layer. High water pressures in the pervious layer represent the uplift pressures that are known to act on embankments that protect the Thames marshes from high floodwaters. The models have shown that the uplift pressures may in appropriate circumstances modify the nature of the most critical failure mechanism, but do not appear thereby greatly to affect the factor of safety against collapse. The mechanism of failure observed is thought to have contributed to the breach at Dartford Lock in 1953. A simple analysis derived from consideration of the failure mechanism observed in the models promises to afford a rational design approach to landside loading berms where uplift interaction failure is thought to be a danger.