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.

Nonlinear analysis of integral abutment bridges

Abstract: A state-of-the-art, three-dimensional, nonlinear finite element algorithm is developed and used to study piling stresses and pile-soil interaction in integral abutment bridges. The finite element idealization consists of beam-column elements with geometric and material nonlinearities for the pile, and nonlinear springs for the soil. An idealized soil model (a modified Ramberg-Osgood cyclic model) was introduced in this investigation to obtain the tangent stiffness of the nonlinear spring elements. Several numerical examples, including results on an existing bridge, are presented. The finite element model and the computer software developed are found to give reliable methods.

Effects of structural characterizations on fragility functions of bridges subject to seismic shaking and lateral spreading

Abstract: This paper evaluates the seismic vulnerability of different classes of typical bridges in California when subjected to seismic shaking or liquefaction-induced lateral spreading. The detailed structural configurations in terms of superstructure type, connection, continuity at support and foundation type, etc. render different damage resistant capability. Six classes of bridges are established based on their anticipated failure mechanisms under earthquake shaking. The numerical models that are capable of simulating the complex soil-structure interaction effects, nonlinear behavior of columns and connections are developed for each bridge class. The dynamic responses are obtained using nonlinear time history analyses for a suite of 250 earthquake motions with increasing intensity. An equivalent static analysis procedure is also implemented to evaluate the vulnerability of the bridges when subjected to liquefaction-induced lateral spreading. Fragility functions for each bridge class are derived and compared for both seismic shaking (based on nonlinear dynamic analyses) and lateral spreading (based on equivalent static analyses) for different performance states. The study finds that the fragility functions due to either ground shaking or lateral spreading show significant correlation with the structural characterizations, but differences emerge for ground shaking and lateral spreading conditions. Structural properties that will mostly affect the bridges’ damage resistant capacity are also identified.

Simplified BEM/FEM model for dynamic analysis of structures on piles and pile groups in viscoelastic and poroelastic soils

Abstract: A simplified model for the analysis of the dynamic response of structures on piles and pile groups under time harmonic excitation is presented in this paper. It is a coupled boundary element–finite element model able to take into account dynamic pile–soil–pile interaction in a rigorous manner. Piles and pile groups in viscoelastic or poroelastic soils are considered. Two-node cylindrical boundary elements are used to represent the interface between soil and pile. These elements are connected to beam-type finite elements representing the concrete pile which can be connected to a pile cap and to any superstructure modeled by beam elements. The model is rather simple: two-node beam elements along the pile are directly connected to the BE nodes along the soil hole, and the uppermost node to the soil surface and to the FE nodes of any superstructure. Thus, large structures founded on piles in viscoelastic or poroelastic soils can be represented using a reasonable number of unknowns. In order to validate the procedure, single piles and pile groups in viscoelastic and poroelastic soils are analyzed. The obtained results are compared with those obtained by other authors using more complex or less general approaches. There is a good agreement between the present results and those reported in the literature.