Analysis of crack development in loess deep filled ground based on physical modelling tests

Cracks are a common issue in deep filled construction projects, and conventional methods often struggle to accurately predict their development. To guide the anti-crack design for deep-filled loess projects, a prototype of a typical gully section from a northern Shaanxi project was selected. Geotechnical centrifuge model tests were utilized to predict potential cracks in the loess fill, with the cracking mechanisms elucidated through combined field monitoring. The study also investigates the conditions conducive to cracking, the fracture initiation of cracks, and the fracture processes within the project site. The effectiveness of using centrifuge model tests for predicting crack development was evaluated, and measures suitable for preventing and controlling cracks in high loess fill sites were proposed. The results indicate that uneven settlement and horizontal displacement cause cracks to develop in the excavation-fill boundary zone within gully terrain. Both centrifuge model tests and prototype field monitoring demonstrate that crack distributions in the prototype correspond to those in the tests, with differential fill thickness and horizontal displacement towards the center of the gully primarily responsible for the formation of cracks.