Soil structure interaction

About: Soil structure interaction is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 3653 publications have been published within this topic receiving 48890 citations.

Development and validation of p-y modeling approach for seismic response predictions of highway bridges

Abstract: Summary This study aims to realistically simulate the seismic responses of typical highway bridges in California with considerations of soil–structure interaction effects. The p-y modeling approaches are developed and validated for embankments and pile foundations of bridges. The p-y approach models the lateral and vertical foundation flexibility with distributed p-y springs and associated t-z and q-z springs. Building upon the existing p-y models for pile foundations, the study develops the nonlinear p-y springs for embankments based on nonlinear 2D and 3D continuum finite element analysis under passive loading condition along both longitudinal and transverse directions. Closed-form expressions are developed for two key parameters, the ultimate resistant force pult and the displacement y50, where 0.5pult is reached, of embankment p-y models as functions of abutment geometry (wall width and height, embankment fill height, etc.) and soil material properties (wall-soil friction angle, soil friction angle, and cohesion). In order to account for the kinematic and site responses, depth-varying ground motions are derived and applied at the free-end of p-y springs, which reflects the amplified embankment crest motion. The modeling approach is applied to simulate the seismic responses of the Painter Street Bridge and validated through comparisons with the recorded responses during the 1992 Petrolia earthquake. It is demonstrated that the flexibility and motion amplification at end abutments are the most crucial modeling aspects. The developed p-y models and the modeling approach can effectively predict the seismic responses of highway bridges. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

A practical method for estimating dynamic soil stiffness on surface of multi‐layered soil

Abstract: It is important to estimate the influence of layered soil in soil-structure interaction analyses. Although a great number of investigations have been carried out on this subject, there are very few practical methods that do not require complex calculations. In this paper, a simple and practical method for estimating the horizontal dynamic stiffness of a rigid foundation on the surface of multi-layered soil is proposed. In this method, waves propagating in the soil are traced using the conception of the cone model, and the impulse response function can be calculated directly and easily in the time domain with a good degree of accuracy. The characteristics of the impedance, that is the transformed value to the frequency domain of the obtained impulse response, are studied using two- to four-layered soil models. The cause of the fluctuation of impedance is expressed clearly from its relation to reflected waves from the lower layer boundary in the model.

A Review: Study of Integral Abutment Bridge with Consideration of Soil-Structure Interaction

Abstract: Bridges are one of the most critical parts of transportation networks that may suffer damages against earthquakes. Also, seismic responses of most bridges are significantly influenced by soil-structure interaction effects. Taking out expansion joints in the bridges may cause many difficulties in design and analysis due to the complexity of soil-structure interaction and nonlinear behavior. The secondary loads on an IAB include seismic load, temperature variation, creep, shrinkage, backfill pressure on back wall and abutment, all of which cause superstructure length and stress variations in girder changes. The purpose of this study is to recognize the most effective parameters of analysis IABs. Findings show that the backfill material behind the IABs has a significant effect on the performance of IABs. Using a compressible material behind the abutments would enhance the in-service performance of IABs. Finally, behaviour of abutment may be greatly affected by thermal load and soil pressure. Thermal expansion coefficient significantly influences girder axial force, girder bending moment, and pile head/abutment displacement.

Instability of a Caisson-Type Breakwater Induced by an Earthquake–Tsunami Event

Abstract: The Tohoku coastal area in Japan suffered massive damage in the Great Tohoku Earthquake, in which a prolonged major earthquake was followed by a large tsunami. The damage mechanisms of coastal structures during earthquake–tsunami events have not been fully explained. Thus, this study elucidates the damage mechanism of breakwaters by focusing on the interactions among earthquake–tsunami events, caisson structures, and soil composed of rubble mounds and seabed components. Centrifuge model tests, finite-element analyses, and smoothed particle hydrodynamics simulations with tsunami–soil–structure interactions were performed. The simulated breakwater was destabilized by not only wave pressure, but also long-acting tsunami seepage flow and overflow into the rubble mound and the seabed. These processes resulted in scour and fluidization/liquefaction, which decreased the bearing capacity. Moreover, the liquefaction resulting from earthquake motion caused caisson subsidence and excess pore water pressure i...