Centrifugal model tests on settlement characteristics of embankment using blasting compaction technology

The blasting compaction technology plays an important role in the construction of marine reclamation projects, however, its mechanism studies are behind the engineering practice. An ignition device is developed in the centrifuge to initiate and control blasting effect, and two centrifugal model tests on the blasting compaction technology of silt with different water contents are carried out. Furthermore, the settlement of embankment with blasting compaction and the characteristics of the excess pore water pressure of silt foundation are analyzed. The results show that the immediate settlement of embankment is larger after blasting when the silt has higher water content, and the blasting displacement effect is more pronounced. However, the post-construction settlement of embankment is larger when the silt foundation has lower intensity. In addition, the excess pore water pressure is produced after blasting in the silt foundation with overburden pressure, and it will weaken the effective shear strength of silt foundation or even the structural strength and load-bearing capacity will lose, so that favorable conditions will be created for replacement of "mud - stone" in the process of blasting compaction.