Geotechnical Centrifuge Systems
Geotechnical centrifuge modelling is an established experimental technique within civil engineering, particularly in geotechnical engineering and soil mechanics. Small-scale models tested under normal gravity cannot reproduce the full-scale self-weight stresses that govern soil behaviour. By testing reduced-scale models at elevated acceleration, centrifuge modelling recreates representative prototype stress conditions and provides an effective means of investigating full-scale behaviour, failure mechanisms and soil–structure interaction.
This allows researchers to develop and assess new civil engineering solutions, understand complex ground behaviour and generate high-quality experimental data for the validation of numerical and computational models.
Broadbent has more than 30 years’ experience in geotechnical centrifuge systems and has developed strong links with leading researchers and institutions in the field, including the University of Cambridge Schofield Centre and the late Professor Andrew Schofield. More recently, our partnership with Genesis Geotechnics provides clients with additional support in system development, experimental campaigns, training and the development of specialist scientific accessories for centrifuge research.
Our geotechnical centrifuge range spans teaching and education-focused systems through to full-scale research facilities, with both beam/swing-basket centrifuges and drum centrifuge technology available.
Research across the Civil Engineering Discipline
Foundations: Piles, shallow foundations, anchors and soil–structure interaction.
Offshore & Marine: Offshore wind, anchors, pipelines, subsea cables and seabed response.
Tunnels & Transport: Underground structures, embankments, rail and staged construction.
Earthquake Engineering: Liquefaction, cyclic response and dynamic soil–structure interaction.
Slopes & Earth Structures: Failure mechanisms, stability and ground improvement.
Numerical Validation: Controlled experimental datasets for model calibration and validation.
Beam Centrifuge Systems
Beam centrifuges are the most widely used platform for geotechnical physical modelling and provide a flexible environment for both education and advanced research. Broadbent – Genesis systems range from compact machines with radii of approximately 0.5 m through to large research centrifuges of around 3 m radius, with capacities extending from approximately 2 gT to 150gT.
Modern systems can incorporate:
- Large experimental baskets and model containers
- Electrical slip-ring and rotary fluid union assemblies
- Fibre-optic communications and sensing
- Integrated data acquisition systems
- In-flight actuation and loading systems
- Specialist geotechnical instrumentation
- Model preparation and experimental accessories
This flexibility allows each centrifuge to be configured around the specific needs of the research programme, from undergraduate teaching through to complex multi-instrumented research campaigns.
Geotechnical Drum Centrifuges
Drum centrifuges provide a continuous annular bed of model material, offering a different experimental geometry from conventional beam centrifuges.
The continuous soil bed is particularly suited to studies involving long linear infrastructure, pipelines, landslides, erosion processes and repeated validation tests, where multiple experiments can potentially be undertaken within a single prepared model.
Broadbent currently offers a 2.2 m, 800gT drum centrifuge platform, providing substantial capacity for advanced research applications.
Drum centrifuge technology is also well suited to research involving:
- Pipeline and cable interaction
- Long linear infrastructure
- Landslide and ground movement
- Repeated or comparative test programmes
- Erosion and sediment transport
- Wave mechanics and wave–soil interaction
- Offshore and coastal structures
- Wave impact and scour-related processes
The combination of a continuous model bed, integrated instrumentation and specialist in-flight systems makes the drum centrifuge a powerful platform for research where spatial continuity, repeated testing or coupled soil–fluid interaction are important.
