Abstract:Based on the shaking table test, in this study, we designed a similar model of a 2×2 vertical pile-group structure. By inputting the Qian'an seismic wave with a certain peak acceleration, the lateral dynamic response characteristics of a vertical pile-group cap in non-liquefied, saturated sand with different thicknesses of 300 mm and 380 mm were studied by the shaking table test. The results showed that under the Qian'an wave input, the acceleration and displacement time histories of the pile-group cap in non-liquefied sand were not significantly different from those at the platform; for the two sand thicknesses, the acceleration amplification of the pile-group cap in the saturated sands was enlarged, but the peak displacements of the pile-group cap were not much different from those at the platform. In 300 mm and 380 mm saturated sands, the peak acceleration of the pile-group cap was amplified by 1.35 times and 1.42 times, respectively, compared with that of the platform input, which shows that under the same input condition, the dynamic response of the pile-group cap was more remarkable in the thicker saturated sand after the liquefaction.