In gravity dams, crack growth is inhibited by gravitational effects; thus, correct model testing can only be accomplished in a centrifuge where the gravitational field is inversely proportional to the scale. Following an overview of centrifugal testing, this paper reports on the first centrifuge testing of concrete gravity dam models. Test results are then contrasted with numerical predictions using fracture-mechanics-based finite-element analysis. The paper concludes with recommendations for further investigation on this new and innovative testing technique.
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Plizzari et al. (1995) studied this question.
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