Evaluation of the effect of rubble mound on pile through dynamic centrifuge model tests

Pile-supported wharves, port structures that support the upper deck, are installed on sloping ground. The sloping ground should be covered with a rubble mound or artificial blocks to protect the interior material from erosion caused by wave force. The behavior of the pile may vary during an earthquake if a rubble mound is installed on the slope. However, studies evaluating the effect of rubble mound on the pile during an earthquake are limited. Here, we performed dynamic centrifuge model tests to evaluate the dynamic behavior of piles installed in a slope reinforced with rubble mound. In the structure, some sections (single-pile, 2X2 group-pile) were selected for the experiment. The moment of the group-pile decreased by up to 26% upon installation of the rubble mound, whereas the moment of the single-pile increased by up to 41%, thus demonstrating conflicting results.