Fault simulator

The internal dimensions of this split-box are 350 × 1244 × 620 mm (width × length × height). Both normal and reverse faulting with a dip angle of 70o and a maximum vertical displacement component of 40mm can be simulated. To simulate normal faulting, an oil valve was remotely controlled by a computer and the oil in the hydraulic cylinder was released to drive the hanging wall base down. For reverse faulting simulation, the oil was pumped into the hydraulic cylinder to drive the hanging wall base up. The simulator has been used to successfully simulate normal and reverse faulting in layered ground conditions and also their effects on the soil-structure (e.g., tunnel) interaction and stress transfer mechanisms.

 

 

Model box for simulating normal and reverse faulting

Journal Publications

  • Ng, C. W. W., Cai, Q. P., & Hu, P. (2012). Centrifuge and numerical modeling of fault rupture propagation in clay with and without a pre-existing fracture. Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering 138, No. 12, 1492-1502, https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GT.1943-5606.0000719.
  • Cai, Q. P. & Ng, C. W. W. (2013) Analytical approach for estimating ground deformation profile induced by normal faulting in undrained clay. Canadian Geotechnical Journal 50, No. 4, 413-422, https://doi.org/10.1139/cgj-2012-0145.
  • Cai, Q. P., Ng, C. W. W., Luo, G. Y., & Hu, P. (2013). Influences of pre-existing fracture on ground deformation induced by normal faulting in mixed ground conditions. Journal of Central South University 20, No. 2, 501-509, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11771-013-1512-0.
  • Cai, Q. P. & Ng, C. W. W. (2014). Effects of the tip depth of a pre-existing fracture on surface fault ruptures in cemented clay. Computers and Geotechnics 56, 181-190, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2013.12.005.
  • Cai, Q. P., Ng, C. W. W. & Hu, P. (2015). Boundary effects on ground surface rupture induced by normal faulting. Géotechnique Letters 5, No. 3, 161-166, https://doi.org/10.1680/jgele.15.00064.
  • Cai, Q. P. & Ng, C. W. W. (2016). Centrifuge modeling of pile-sand interaction induced by normal faulting. Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering 142, No. 10, 04016046, https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GT.1943-5606.0001500.
  • Cai, Q. P., Ng, C. W. W., Chen, X. X., Guo, L. Q. & Su, S. Z. (2018). Effects of cementation on pore water pressure response during normal faulting in clay. Géotechnique Letters 8, No. 1, 56-60, https://doi.org/10.1680/jgele.17.00160.
  • Cai, Q. P., Peng, J. M., Ng, C. W. W., Shi, J. W. & Chen X. X. (2019). Centrifuge and numerical modelling of tunnel intersected by normal fault rupture in sand. Computers and Geotechnics 111, 137-146, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2019.03.010.
     

HKUST Thesis

  • Cai, Q. P. (2011). Centrifuge, analytical and numerical modeling of normal fault propagation in uncemented and cemented soils. PhD thesis, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.