Geotechnical Engineering, University of Colorado at Boulder

Facilities

The Geotechnical laboratories include state of the art centrifuge facilities, which have been used for research, instructional, and industry design purposes. The facilities include three geotechnical centrifuges. The largest of these centrifuges is a 400 g-ton centrifuge. In terms of g-ton capabilities, this centrifuge is one of the largest in the world. It is capable of accelerating a 4000 lb payload to a maximum of 200 g in about 17 minutes. A servo-controlled electro-hydraulic shake table can be mounted on the swing platform of the centrifuge, which could be operated inflight to simulate earthquake-like motions. This facility has been used in numerous research projects to investigate the static and seismic performance of retaining structures and slopes, seepage mechanisms, contaminant transport, and offshore foundation structures, to name a few. For additional technical information regarding the capabilities of our large centrifuge, click the 400 g-ton Centrifuge button.

The facilities also include a 15 g-ton centrifuge, which is a Genisco 1230-5 accelerator modified for geotechnical applications. This equipment has been operational since 1981. It has a symmetrical arm comprised of aluminum sections that carries swing-baskets at each end. Each basket has a mass of 90 lb and can accommodate experimental payloads of sizes up to 18 x 17.5 x 23 inch. A payload of 300 lb can be accelerated up to 100 g. In the fully extended position, the top of the swing platform is at a radius of 53.5 inch. The centrifuge is equipped with 56 electrical sliprings, a 3-channel rotating hydraulic union, and video monitoring of the experimental package.

The department also maintains an instructional centrifuge, which is regularly used as a part of the undergraduate laboratory activities in geotechnical engineering.

The geotechnical centrifuge facilities at the University of Colorado at Boulder are available for use by research institutions and by private industry. Please contact Prof. Hon-Yim Ko (ko@colorado.edu) for specific information regarding the use of these facilities by outside parties.