A large 3D physical model : a tool to investigate the consequences of ground movements on the surface structures

Matthieu Caudron (1) , Boramy Hor (1, 2) , Fabrice Emeriault (2) , Marwan Al Heib (1)

1 INERIS - Institut National de l'Environnement Industriel et des Risques
2 LGCIE - Laboratoire de Génie Civil et d'Ingénierie Environnementale

Soil subsidence of various extend and amplitude can result from the failure of underground cavities, whether natural (for example caused by the dissolution of rocks by underground water flow) or man-made (such as mines). The impact of the ground movements on existing structures (houses, buildings, bridges, etc...) is generally dramatic. A large small-scale physical model is developed in order to improve our understanding of the behaviour of the building subjected to ground subsidence or the collapse of cavities. We focus on the soil-structure interaction and on the mitigation techniques allowing reducing the vulnerability of the buildings (structures).

Keywords: PHYSICAL MODEL; GROUND SUBSIDENCE; SOIL-STRUCTURE INTERACTION

Domains: Sciences of the Universe [physics]; Earth Sciences; Environmental Sciences

Matthieu Caudron, Boramy Hor, Fabrice Emeriault, Marwan Al Heib. A large 3D physical model : a tool to investigate the consequences of ground movements on the surface structures. 14. International Conference on Experimental Mechanics (ICEM 14), Jul 2010, Poitiers, France. pp.Art 22001, ⟨10.1051/epjconf/20100622001⟩. ⟨ineris-00976223⟩