3.2.5 Coriolis effect in centrifuge

Coriolis effect may be observed in a centrifuge model when the movement of the mass is in the plane of rotation i.e. vertical plane of the movement is parallel to the plane of rotation.

Coriolis acceleration can be assessed by the following procedure.

The coriolis acceleration (ac) is related to centrifuge angular velocity (w) and velocity of moving mass (v) as:

ac= 2wv

The inertial acceleration, a, of the model having velocity v in centrifuge flight is:

a = w2Re= wv

It is assumed that for low velocity of moving mass, coriolis effect become negligible if ac/a <10 %. This implies v < 0.05 V. For high velocity such as in dynamic events, v > 2 V

Range of velocity which will not lead to significant effect of coriolis is given by:

0.05 V > v > 2 V

 

References for sections 3.2.1 through 3.2.6

Siddiquee, M.S.A., Tanaka, T. and Tatsuoka, F. (1992) : A numerical simulation of bearing capacity of footing on sand, Proc. of 27th. Annual Meet. JSSMFE, Vol. 2, pp. 1413-1416.

Ko, H.Y. (1988) : Summary of the state-of-the-art in centrifuge model testing, In Centrifuges in Soil Mechanics (eds Craig, W.H., James, R.G. and Schofield, A.N.), Balkema, Rotterdam, pp. 11-18.

Taylor, R.N. (1995) : Centrifuges in modelling: principles and scale effects, In Geotechnical Centrifuge Technology (ed Taylor, R.N.), Blackie Academic and Professional, Glasgow, pp. 19-33.

Phillips, R. (1995) : Centrifuges in modelling: practical consideration, In Geotechnical Centrifuge Technology (ed Taylor, R.N.), Blackie Academic and Professional, Glasgow, pp. 34-60.