Impact of model scale on the results of dynamic compaction adjacent to the sandy slopes

In this paper, an experimental study has been carried out to investigate the effect of different parameters on the results of dynamic compaction adjacent to slopes. One hundred and eight sloped models of Babolsar sand at three safety factors of 1·4, 1·6 and 1·8 and a relative density of 50% were prepared at three heights of 450, 650 and 850 mm. Other effective variables such as tamping distance from the slope edge, tamper weight and its falling height were also considered in the testing programmes. The variation of crater depth was carefully determined with number of applied blows during the tests. Based on the results, crater depth increased with increase in slope angle and decreased with increase in factor of safety and distance from the slope edge. In some tests, slope failure occurred and the failure modes were evaluated to reveal patterns of shear cracks and failure mechanism. The effect of the model's height on the crater depth was also evaluated and it was determined that an increase in height decreases the induced crater depth. Finally, some empirical equations for calculation of the crater depth based on the considered variables are suggested.