A modular drum centrifuge facility for research into mountain and estuary hazard mitigation and environmental protection
(RGC CRF, 2018-2021, PM: Zhang, L.M.; Co-Is: Prof Bolton, M. D., Prof Leung Yat Fai, Prof Ng, C. W. W., Dr Van Laak, Paul, Prof Wang Gang, Prof Wang Yu, Prof Wang Yu-Hsing, Prof Yang Jun, Prof Zhou Xiao Wen)
Centrifuge modelling uses centrifugal forces to create stress and strain conditions in a reduced-scale soil model identical to those in the full–scale prototype and reproduces the prototype performance better than other modelling methods. HKUST houses a 400 g-ton beam centrifuge which can operate at up to a maximum centrifugal acceleration of 150 g. The largest prototype dimensions are 188 m in plan and 128 m in height. Such dimensions are sufficient for many geotechnical problems such as slope stability and foundation modelling. However, a range of problems of great practical interest cannot be effectively modelled using the beam centrifuge because the boundary conditions imposed by the rigid walls of model containers are unrealistic. Examples of such problems include long-distance debris flows, wave loading, hillslope or seabed erosion, and contaminant transport. Currently the beam centrifuge serves over 60 PhD and MPhil students from HKUST and other local universities. It is constantly fully booked; in fact the research students must often join a lengthy queue.
To both address the pressing needs for teaching and research and also enhance Hong Kong’s international reputation as a centre for cutting-edge research into the physical modelling of geotechnical processes, four universities in Hong Kong (CityU, HKU, HKUST and PolyU) working together propose to develop a 870 g-ton, 250 g, 2.2 m diameter drum centrifuge facility. More specifically, we aim to acquire a modular drum centrifuge and an advanced 3D robot for research into mountain and estuary hazard mitigation and environmental protection, to develop a model package for simulating long-distance landslides, debris flows, and hillslope and coastal erosion, and to develop a miniature wave generator on the drum centrifuge to simulate wave-induced phenomena and offshore structures.
The new drum centrifuge facility will perfectly complement the existing beam centrifuge facility. Whereas the beam centrifuge is capable of simulating centralized problems (e.g. piles), the drum centrifuge is capable of simulating distributed problems occurring over distances of up to 1726 m. The new drum centrifuge will be installed next to the existing beam centrifuge, so that it can be operated and maintained by the existing experienced engineers and technicians. Through the joint effort of four of the universities in Hong Kong, the proposed drum centrifuge facility and the existing beam centrifuge facility will form a world-leading centrifuge cluster and provide a platform for local researchers to expand their capacity in hazard prevention, offshore resource engineering, and environmental protection.