Abstract: centrifugal tests with 20-step normal and reverse faulting were conducted to investigate the deformation characteristics and rupture propagation of overburden saturated clay. The results show that, duo to normal fault, several paralleled tensile ruptures appear on surface. Normal fault rupture gradually shifts from dip slip direction toward to the hanging wall as the throw increases. Ruptures develop toward to the hanging wall and mainly appear near fault rupture line. Whereas as a result of reverse faulting, smaller and less ruptures appear in hanging wall, relatively far from fault rupture line. The displacement increases as the throw increases. Ground below fault rupture line remains stationary during faulting; but above fault rupture line it moves compatibly with the hanging wall. The peak slope increases as the throw increases. The peak slope position shifts toward to the hanging wall for normal faulting and to footwall for reverse faulting. The reverse faulting induced impact region is larger than that by normal faulting.

Key words: centrifuge modeling, normal fault, reverse fault, deformation, saturated clay