In a series of twelve separate geotechnical centrifuge physical modeling tests, seismic behavior of a zoned earth dam with saturated sandy soil foundation was studied under moderate earthquake conditions.  Soil response during and after shaking was monitored by many miniature accelerometers, pore pressure sensors, and displacement gauges placed throughout the soil model.  The effect on the seismic behavior of the dam of different parameters such as the thickness, location, and depth of liquefiable layer is studied.
This paper describes some of these tests and briefly presents the preliminary results. Valuable insights into the dynamic behavior of the employed embankment-foundation systems are provided.  Currently, such testing results offer a valuable alternative to actual full-scale dynamic response, which is virtually non-existent.