The large-scale ultra-gravity geotechnical centrifuge test platform introduced by Chang'an University in Shaanxi Province, China, recently successfully completed its first official test. The equipment achieved a centrifugal acceleration of 100g during the test, with all operational indicators remaining stable, marking the formal commissioning of the equipment for scientific research applications.
This equipment is the GB GT150/3.0m large-scale geotechnical centrifuge physical simulation test system produced by Broadbent of the United Kingdom, with turnkey engineering services provided by Earth Products China Limited. The equipment completed factory full-machine startup testing in the UK in August 2024 and was shipped to Chang'an University in September of the same year. During installation, the Earth Products China team, based on the distribution of on-site structural columns, designed an 8×8×1.5-meter irregularly shaped concrete foundation, achieving complete isolation of the new foundation from the existing one. The equipment passed acceptance in August 2025—stably carrying a 750kg payload under 203g acceleration, with an effective capacity of 152.25g·t, exceeding design specifications.
The ultra-gravity centrifuge test platform is equipped with multi-dimensional intelligent subsystems, including a 48-channel onboard data acquisition system, a four-axis robotic arm, a high-frequency shaking table, an ultra-gravity rainfall simulation device, a PIV particle image velocimetry system, and a miniature cone penetration test system. This enables the platform to simulate various catastrophe processes such as slope instability, seismic liquefaction, and tunnel seepage.
The National Key Laboratory of Loess Science at Chang'an University is an important base for loess research in China. The successful conduct of this inaugural official test of the ultra-gravity centrifuge signifies that the laboratory has acquired the capability to conduct full-process physical simulations of multi-field multi-phase coupling disasters in geomaterials under ultra-gravity environments. This will provide key technical support for disaster prevention, mitigation, and major engineering construction in loess regions.