Thomas Broadbent & Sons Ltd have the world’s leading range of geotechnical centrifuges underpinned by Cambridge University’s Geotechnical Schofield Laboratory. These specialist geotechnical centrifuges are available with integrated data acquisition systems.
The new exciting range of geotechnical centrifuges designed and built by Broadbent, supported by Cambridge University’s Drum IPR, is sold under the ‘Broadbent G-Max’ name.
This range of geotechnical research tools brings together Broadbent’s centrifuge design skills, manufacturing expertise and internationally renowned service network. The data acquisition systems use G-Max's skills and geotechnical test know-how. We offer support from initial project concept through to final turnkey facility installation and training.
Beam centrifuge on test-bed.
Small drum centrifuge.
The product range of drum centrifuges, incorporates Broadbent’s Geotechnical ‘G’ Series Drum Centrifuges and the tilting drum centrifuge invented by Professor Andrew Schofield F.R.S, F.Eng., F.I.C.E of Cambridge University. This worldwide patent-protected drum technology (patent number US 5,634,876) is now integrated into the revolutionary Modular Centrifuge – the world’s first single-platform, multi-test environment, beam and drum centrifuge, designed specifically to offer the complete test environment to the civil engineering researcher.
Links for more information on the Broadbent-GMax range of geotechnical centrifuges :
- Geotechncial centrifuge brochure.
- Technical details of the Geotrechnical drum and beam centrifuge range.
- Product ID datasheet - showing centrifuge range & option availability.
- Client list.
Broadbent G-Max have designed and developed an entirely new concept in Geotechnical Centrifuge design. The world’s first combined beam and drum platform – the Modular Centrifuge.
Get the best of both worlds - the proven beam centrifuge with the enhancement of a drum.
Features & Benefits of drum centrifuges.
- ‘In flight’ advanced manipulation of tool position
- Compact by comparison with beam centrifuges
- Inherently safe channel design
- Safety shield feature allows for tool change whilst samples are ‘in flight’
- Extended footprint allows multiple position tests
- Current designs - up to 400 times gravity
- Free standing centrifuge with rotating parts within substantial casing
- Channel can operate as a virtual beam
- Engineering support services worldwide
Typical channel dimensions
Drum Diameter | Lip Depth | Width | RPM | Mean ‘G’ Force |
2200 mm | 300 mm | 800 mm | 600 | 400 |
1200 mm | 200 mm | 300 mm | 850 | 430 |
800 mm | 150 mm | 300 mm | 1000 | 390 |
Typical equivalent sample size
Equivalent site size. | ||||
Drum Diameter | Length | Width | Depth | Volume |
2200 mm | 2530 m | 325 m | 120 m | 100 x 106 m3 |
1200 mm | 1445 m | 130 m | 85 m | 16 x 106 m3 |
800 mm | 860 m | 120 m | 60 m | 6 x 106 m3 |
Client List
Recent geotechnical centrifuge installations from Broadbent include:
- 0.65m Mini Beam Centrifuge IT Sligo, Ireland
- 1.0m Tilting Drum Centrifuge COPPE, UFRJ, Brazil
- 1.0m Tilting Drum Centrifuge MIT, USA
- 1.2m Drum Centrifuge University of West Australia, Australia
- 1.2m Drum Centrifuge Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan
- 1.2m Drum Centrifuge Kiso Jiban Construction, Japan
- 1.4m Drum Centrifuge University of Texas at Austin, USA
- 1.4m Drum Centrifuge Dalian University of Technology, PR China
- 1.5m Beam Centrifuge ETH, Mineralogy, Switzerland
- 2.2m Drum Centrifuge Toyo Construction, Japan
- 2.2m Drum Centrifuge ETH, Geotechnics, Switzerland
- 1.7m Beam Centrifuge Nottingham University, UK
Small self contained beam centrifuge. GB GT/0.75
32ch Drum DAS - 450 g rated
Links for more information on the Broadbent-GMax range of geotechnical centrifuges :
- Geotechncial centrifuge brochure.
- Technical details of the Geotrechnical drum and beam centrifuge range.
- Product ID datasheet - showing centrifuge range & option availability.
ISO9001 Certified.