Evaluation of geotechnical engineering properties on low gravity lunar environments using centrifuge tests

Abstract

Geotechnical engineering preparation is essential for successful lunar exploration due to distinct differences in the environment influencing geotechnical properties between Earth and Moon. Especially, this study focuses on the bearing capacity of shallow foundation and mobility performance of lunar rover. In order to evaluate the geotechnical engineering properties on lunar environments, in this study two testing programs using centrifuge and KLS-1 are suggested for simulating lunar environments, and then the influence of low gravity on the geotechnical properties is investigated. First, a series of centrifuge tests is performed under various conditions of centrifugal acceleration level to investigate the gravity effect. Then, the predictive geotechnical engineering properties on the lunar gravity is estimated by extrapolation. Next, centrifuge model tests for directly simulating lunar prototype footings are also performed to verify the reliability of simulating the gravity of Moon.