Sinkhole and soil-structure interactions: Development of an experimental model

Abstract : Soil-structure interactions during a sinkhole phenomenon are analyzed with a physical small-scale model developed using an analogical two-dimensional soil and a building model. A test bed allowing fully controlled test is used. The paper presents the results of a series of tests during which vertical and horizontal displacements of the Schneebeli steel rods are determined with the Digital Image Correlation technique at different steps of the creation of an underground cavity. First, repeatability tests are performed as well as a greenfield test. Then the same initial conditions are considered for a test with a model of building located at ground level and above the cavity.