Site classification using equivalent soil profiles for building-liquefaction interaction

The seismic behaviour of a building on a liquefiable deposit is a complex interaction which involves quantifying both shaking induced damage and permanent ground deformation-related damage. In this paper the key parameters that influence both surface shaking and foundation settlements have been identified as the depth, thickness and liquefaction resistance of an equivalent liquefiable layer. These parameters can be used to develop an ‘equivalent soil profile’ that is analogous to the equivalent single degree-of-freedom that reduces the complexity of the dynamic response of a building into comparable and easily understood quantities. The equivalent soil profile is quantified independent of the seismic hazard, making it compatible with performance based design and assessment frameworks such that the building and soil profile can be directly assessed at different levels of seismic hazard. Several numerical studies are presented that demonstrate the influence of these key parameters on the ground surface shaking and foundation settlement. A set of criteria are proposed for classifying soil profiles into 22 different soil classes for regional loss assessment. An algorithm was developed for automatically fitting the equivalent soil profile to a cone penetration test trace and issues with the fitting are discussed. Field reconnaissance was undertaken to collect additional data to support existing datasets on the performance of buildings in Adapazari, during the 1999 Kocaeli, Turkey, earthquake (Mw = 7.4). The field case history data was used to investigate the correlation between the depth, thickness and liquefaction resistance of an equivalent liquefiable layer, on the extent of foundation permanent deformation. The case history data showed that in general a shallow, thick and weak liquefiable layer near the surface results in significant settlement but a lack of data for buildings on non-liquefiable deposits and the additional complexities involved with real buildings and soil deposits, meant that the trends observed in the idealised numerical models could not identified in the field case history data set.

     

Bridge–embankment interaction under transverse ground excitation

Seismic performance and dynamic response of bridge–embankments during strong or moderate ground excitations are investigated through finite element (FE) modelling and detailed dynamic analysis. Previous research studies have established that bridge–embankments exhibit increasingly flexible performance under high‐shear deformation levels and that soil displacements at bridge abutment supports may be significant particularly in the transverse direction. The 2D equation of motion is solved for the embankment, in order to evaluate the dynamic characteristics and to describe explicitly the seismic performance and dynamic response under transverse excitations accounting for soil nonlinearities, soil–structure interaction and imposed boundary conditions (BCs). Using the proposed model, equivalent elastic analysis was performed so as to evaluate the dynamic response of approach embankments while accounting for soil–structure interaction. The analytical procedures were applied in the case of a well‐documented bridge with monolithic supports (Painter Street Overcrossing, PSO) which had been instrumented and embankment participation was identified from its response records after the 1971 San Fernando earthquake. The dynamic characteristics and dynamic response of the PSO embankments were evaluated for alternative BCs accounting for soil–structure interaction. Explicit expressions for the evaluation of the critical embankment length L_c are provided in order to quantify soil contribution to the overall bridge system under strong intensity ground excitations. The dynamic response of the entire bridge system (deck–abutments–embankments) was also evaluated through simplified models that considered soil–structure interaction. Results obtained from this analysis are correlated with those of detailed 3D FE models and field data with good agreement. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Simplified dynamic analysis to evaluate liquefaction-induced lateral deformation of earth slopes: a computational fluid dynamics approach

Lateral deformation of liquefiable soil is a cause of much damage during earthquakes, reportedly more than other forms of liquefaction-induced ground failures. Researchers have presented studies in which the liquefied soil is considered as viscous fluid. In this manner, the liquefied soil behaves as non-Newtonian fluid, whose viscosity decreases as the shear strain rate increases. The current study incorporates computational fluid dynamics to propose a simplified dynamic analysis for the liquefaction-induced lateral deformation of earth slopes. The numerical procedure involves a quasi-linear elastic model for small to moderate strains and a Bingham fluid model for large strain states during liquefaction. An iterative procedure is considered to estimate the strain-compatible shear stiffness of soil. The post-liquefaction residual strength of soil is considered as the initial Bingham viscosity. Performance of the numerical procedure is examined by using the results of centrifuge model and shaking table tests together with some field observations of lateral ground deformation. The results demonstrate that the proposed procedure predicts the time history of lateral ground deformation with a reasonable degree of precision.     

Dynamic responses of coastal structures during earthquakes including sediment–sea–structure interaction

The effects of the interaction among sea water, sediment, backfill-soil and coastal structures (embankments) were included in the present study. The formulation is derived from fundamental theories in various fields, including marine hydrodynamics, flow in porous medium, and structural dynamics. The hybrid finite-difference and finite element methods were used in the analysis. The finite-difference method was used to calculate the nonlinear hydrodynamic pressures of sea water as well as the pore water in the sediment acting on the coastal embankment faces by seismic-wave actions. The fluid-filled solid mixture was used to model sediment and back-fill soil and the corresponding dynamic responses were also evaluated by finite difference method. The dynamic response of the coastal structures was calculated by finite element method. The numerical results are presented for various water depths and ground motion intensities. The significant dynamic forces on coastal structures were calculated during earthquakes and the possible sliding of the coastal embankment will occur and the special foundation treatment should be made.     

Fully coupled numerical analysis of repeated shake-consolidation process of earth embankment on liquefiable foundation

It is known that a series of aftershocks might follow a mainshock, which may cause further damages on civil engineering structures. So it is necessary to investigate the dynamic response of structures undergone several shocks. This study presents a numerical analysis of repeated shake-consolidation process for an earth embankment founded on liquefiable foundation soils. Analysis is carried out using an effective stress-based, fully coupled, finite element method. The behaviors of the foundation soils are described by means of a cyclic mobility constitutive model which was developed at the bases of modified Cam-clay model by introducing concepts such as stress-induced anisotropy, over-consolidation, and structure. Results show that the cyclic mobility constitutive model can reflect the dynamic response of liquefiable soils. Special emphasis is given to analyze the result of excess pore water pressures, stress path, acceleration, and deformations during the two seismic excitation and consolidation process.     

饱和砂土中箱型隧道的地震反应分析

饱和砂土地基在地震作用下存在液化的潜在危险,液化引起的地基失效可能会导致地下结构的严重震害。以Opensees作为计算平台,对饱和砂土中带中柱箱型隧道的地震反应进行输入不同幅值地震动时的动力数值计算,研究场地和结构的加速度反应及其频谱特性、场地的永久变形、隧道的震后位移以及隧道的内力分布。计算结果表明,饱和砂土中箱型隧道的地震附加内力仍受周围土体的相对位移控制,此外在震后隧道可能会产生侧移和上浮的永久位移,并且可能存在残余内力。     

Numerical simulations of shake-table experiment for dynamic soil-pile-structure interaction in liquefiable soils

A shake-table experiment on pile foundations in liquefi able soils composed of liquefi able sand and overlying soft clay is studied. A three-dimensional(3D) effective stress fi nite element(FE) analysis is employed to simulate the experiment. A recently developed multi-surface elasto-plastic constitutive model and a fully coupled dynamic inelastic FE formulation(u-p) are used to model the liquefaction behavior of the sand. The soil domains are discretized using a solid-fl uid fully coupled(u-p) 20-8 noded brick element. The pile is simulated using beam-column elements. Upon careful calibration, very good agreement is obtained between the computed and the measured dynamic behavior of the ground and the pile. A parametric analysis is also conducted on the model to investigate the effect of pile-pinning, pile diameter, pile stiffness, ground inclination angle, superstructure mass and pile head restraints on the ground improvement. It is found that the pile foundation has a noticeable pinning effect that reduces the lateral soil displacement. It is observed that a larger pile diameter and fi xed pile head restraints contribute to decreasing the lateral pile deformation; however, a higher ground inclination angle tends to increase the lateral pile head displacements and pile stiffness, and superstructure mass seems to effectively infl uence the lateral pile displacements.     

Behavior of braced wall embedded in saturated liquefiable sand under seismic loading

It is well known that the generation of excess pore water pressure and/or liquefaction in foundation soils during an earthquake often cause structural failures.This paper describes the behavior of a small-scale braced wall embedded in saturated liquefiable sand under dynamic condition.Shake table tests are performed in the laboratory on embedded retaining walls with single bracing.The tests are conducted for different excavation depths and base motions.The influences of the peak magnitude of the ground motions and the excavation depth on the axial forces in the bracing,the lateral displacement and the bending moments in the braced walls are studied.The shake table tests are simulated numerically using FLAC 2D and the results are compared with the corresponding experimental results.The pore water pressures developed in the soil are found to influence the behavior of the braced wall structures during a dynamic event.It is found that the excess pore water pressure development in the soil below the excavation is higher compared to the soil beside the walls.Thus,the soil below the excavation level is more susceptible to the liquefaction compared to the soil beside the walls.     

主余震序列型地震动作用下RC框架结构损伤耗能研究

强震发生后通常伴随着余震,余震的发生会加重结构损伤甚至引发倒塌。为了量化研究主余震序列型地震动对结构损伤的影响,以一栋3层钢筋混凝土框架结构为研究对象,选取了10条实际的主余震记录作为地震动输入,采用ABAQUS非线性有限元软件对该框架结构进行非线性动力时程分析,并依据结构局部和整体损伤耗能指标来评价主余震序列型地震动对框架结构累积损伤的影响。研究结果表明:序列地震会加剧结构底层柱的局部损伤耗能,特别是对底层中柱的影响更加明显;序列地震作用下的结构整体损伤耗能平均值相对于单主震作用下增加约30%;当余震与主震的第一周期谱加速度指标的比值Sa （T₁）_余震/Sa （T₁）_主震较大时,序列地震对结构损伤需求的影响更为显著。     

Damage spectra for the mainshock–aftershock sequence-type ground motions

Strong aftershocks have the potential to increase the damage state of the structures due to the damage accumulation. This paper investigates the damage spectra for the mainshock–aftershock sequence-type ground motions with Park–Ang damage index. A method of simulating the mainshock–aftershock sequence-type ground motions is proposed based on the modified form of Bath's law and NGA ground motion prediction equation. The damage spectra are computed using the recorded and simulated sequence-type ground motions, and the effects of period of vibration, strength reduction factor, site condition, seismic sequence, damping ratio and post-yield stiffness on damage spectra are studied statistically. The results indicate that the effect of aftershock on structural damage is significant and recorded sequence-type ground motions may underestimate the damage of long-period structures due to the incompleteness of dataset. A simplified equation is proposed to facilitate the application of damage spectra in the seismic practice for mainshock–aftershock sequence-type ground motions.     

The effects of liquefaction-induced lateral spreading on pile foundations

Observations of pile foundation performance during previous earthquakes have shown that pile failure has been caused by lateral ground movements resulting from soil liquefaction. The recognition that lateral ground movements may play a critical role in pile performance during an earthquake has important implications for design and risk assessment, and requires that analytical models be devised to evaluate these potential problems.In this paper, parametric studies were conducted to estimate the maximum bending moments induced in piles subjected to lateral ground displacement. The results are summarized in charts using dimensionless parameters.The analyses reveal that the existence of a nonliquefiable layer at the ground surface can affect significantly the maximum bending moment of the pile. When a relatively thick nonliquefiable layer exists above a liquefiable layer, neither the material nonlinearity of the soil nor loss of soil stiffness within the liquefiable layer significantly affect the maximum bending moment. When the thickness of the liquefiable soils is greater than about three times that of an overlying intact layer, soil stiffness in the liquefiable layer must be chosen carefully when evaluating the maximum bending moment.     

Shaking table test on the seismic failure characteristics of a subway station structure on liquefiable ground

In order to investigate the seismic failure characteristics of a structure on the liquefiable ground, a series of shaking table tests were conducted based on a plaster model of a three‐story and three‐span subway station. The dynamic responses of the structure and ground soil under main shock and aftershock ground motions were studied. The sand boils and waterspouts phenomena, ground surface cracks, and earthquake‐induced ground surface settlements were observed in the testing. For the structure, the upward movement, local damage and member cracking were obtained. Under the main shock, there appeared longer liquefaction duration for the ground soil while the pore pressure dissipated slowly. The acceleration amplification effect of the liquefied soil was weakened, and the soil showed a remarkable shock absorption and concentration effect with low frequency component of ground motion. However, under the aftershock, the dissipation of pore pressure in the ground soil became obvious. The peak acceleration of the structure reduced with the buried depth. Dynamic soil pressure on the side wall was smaller in the middle and larger at both ends. The interior column of the model structure was the weakest member. The peak strain and damage degree for both sides of the interior column exhibited an ‘S’ type distribution along the height. Moreover, the seismic response of both ground soil and subway station structure exhibited a remarkable spatial effect. The seismic damage development process and failure mechanism of the structure illustrated in this study can provide references for the engineers and researcher. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

遮帘式板桩码头地基地震液化破坏机理

遮帘式板桩码头作为一种新型的板桩结构型式,其抗震性能研究是设计建造过程中的重要环节。在FEM-FDM水土耦合计算的平台上引入循环弹塑性本构模型,借助FORTRAN编程软件形成饱和砂土动力液化分析的数值方法,可有效模拟饱和砂土在地震动力作用下的非线性及大变形特性,同时也可模拟砂土液化流动对遮帘桩和前墙的动土压力。研究表明:地震作用下可液化土层超孔隙水压力比增长并发生较大的水平流动变形,对前墙的水平破坏大于竖向破坏;前墙剪力最大值位于海床与前墙交界处;遮帘桩剪力最大值位移与前墙底平行的位置;后拉杆拉力逐渐变大,前拉杆拉力逐渐变小。通过对板桩码头地震液化灾害的分析,可为抗震和抗液化设计提供参考依据。     

多桩型复合地基作用机理与动力特性研究

对由碎石桩和CFG桩构成的多桩型复合地基的作用机理进行分析,通过数值模拟,对多桩型复合地基的动力特性进行研究,探讨桩型配比、桩径、桩长、CFG桩桩体刚度和碎石桩桩体渗透性等设计参数对多桩型复合地基动力特性的影响。研究结果表明:相同条件下地震期多桩型复合地基的动变形小于碎石桩复合地基而大于CFG桩复合地基,震后沉降量相对较小,在工程设计时碎石桩与CFG桩的桩型配比宜为4∶5;随桩体长度、桩体直径和CFG桩刚度的增加,多桩型复合地基地震期的竖向动变形逐渐减小;随碎石桩桩体渗透性的增加,多桩型复合地基中的超动孔隙水压力减小,震后沉降量降低。     

Horizontal and vertical components of earthquake ground motions at liquefiable sites

Field observations on ground motions from recent earthquakes imply that current knowledge is limited with regard to relating vertical and horizontal motions at liquefiable sites. This paper describes a study with the purpose of clarifying this emerging issue to some extent. A series of numerical analyses is carried out on a liquefiable soil deposit with a verified, fully coupled, nonlinear procedure. It is shown that the transformation of vertical motions in the deposit differs considerably from the transformation of horizontal motions. Both the amplitude and frequency content of the horizontal motions are strongly dependent on the shaking level or the associated nonlinear soil behavior. The transfer function for vertical motions is however likely to be independent of the intensity of input motions; no reduction in the amplitude occurs even in the case of strong shaking. The results are shown to be in consistence with the laboratory observations on shaking table tests and recent field observations that less nonlinearity exists for vertical motions. It is also shown that the possibility exists for using information on spectral ratios between the horizontal and vertical surface motions to quickly identify in situ soil behavior and liquefaction that are not readily covered by conventional field or laboratory experimentation procedures.     

基于OpenSees的地震动对软土震陷影响研究

软土具有高灵敏度、低强度等特性,在地震过程中极易产生震陷。基于OpenSees数值模拟方法对软土场地的震陷反应进行非线性动力有限元分析,通过改变地震动峰值加速度、频谱特性、输入方式来研究其对软土震陷的影响。结果表明,地震动峰值加速度对地基土的不均匀震陷有显著影响,地震动峰值加速度越大,震陷量显著增大,震陷影响深度更大,对水平地表造成的破坏范围也更大;地震动频谱特性对软土震陷有重要影响,当地震动卓越频率与场地自振频率相近时,其幅值越大,产生的震陷越严重;水平、竖向同时输入地震动的方式能更好地反映土体的振动及震陷响应。该研究成果对探索软土震陷的机理有一定的指导意义。     

Analytical seismic fragility functions for highway and railway embankments and cuts

A fundamental tool in seismic risk assessment of transportation systems is the fragility curve, which describes the probability that a structure will reach or exceed a certain damage state for a given ground motion intensity. Fragility curves are usually represented by two‐parameter (median and log‐standard deviation) cumulative lognormal distributions. In this paper, a numerical approach, in the spirit of the IDA, is applied for the development of fragility curves for highways and railways on embankments and in cuts due to seismic shaking. The response of the geo‐construction to increasing levels of seismic intensity is evaluated using a 2D nonlinear finite element model, with an elasto‐plastic criterion to simulate the soil behavior. A calibration procedure is followed in order to account for the dependency of both the stiffness and the damping to the soil strain level. The effect of soil conditions and ground motion characteristics on the response of the embankment and cut is taken into account considering different typical soil profiles and seismic input motions. This study will provide input for the assessment of the vulnerability of the road/railway network regarding the performance of the embankments and cuts; therefore, the level of damage is described in terms of the permanent ground displacement in these structures. The fragility curves are estimated based on the evolution of damage with increasing earthquake intensity, which is described by PGA. The proposed approach allows the evaluation of new fragility curves considering the distinctive features of the element's geometry, the input motion, and the soil properties as well as the associated uncertainties. A relationship between the computed permanent ground displacement on the surface of the embankment and the PGA in the free field is also suggested based on the results of the numerical analyses. Finally, the proposed fragility curves are compared with existing empirical data and the limitations of their applicability are outlined. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

基于等损伤的主余震序列型地震动PGA放大系数谱研究

大地震发生后往往会伴随强余震发生,强烈余震会加重结构的破坏程度,在抗震设计及结构损伤评估中考虑余震的影响是一重要课题。采用NGA-West2数据库建立主余震序列型地震动记录数据集,基于损伤等效思想定义主余震作用下PGA放大系数α,针对单自由度体系结构,通过动力时程分析建立不同相对强度、不同场地条件下平均PGA放大系数谱,进一步通过回归分析构建PGA放大系数谱的预测方程,分析统计结果的离散性。结果表明：PGA放大系数谱受场地条件影响较小,受主余震相对强度影响显著;放大系数谱值随周期增大而减小。谱预测方程能够提供目标损伤下结构的主震PGA放大需求,并可以作为设计谱调整系数使用,以实现在结构抗震设计及结构损伤评估中考虑余震的影响。     

Soil–pile-bridge structure interaction in liquefying ground using shake table testing

The evaluation of seismic pile response is particularly useful for geotechnical engineers involved in the design of foundations in liquefying site. Shake table testing was performed to study the dynamic interactive behavior of soil–pile foundations in liquefying ground under different shaking frequency and amplitude. The soil profile consisted of a clayey layer over liquefiable sand over clay. The model was tested with a series of El Centro earthquake motions with peak accelerations ranging from 0.15g to 0.50g, and time step from 0.006 to 0.02 s. Representative data, including time histories of accelerations and excess pore pressure ratios that characterize the important aspects of soil–pile interaction in liquefying ground are presented. The shaking frequency has no significant effect on the magnitudes of excess pore pressure ratio, ground and pile accelerations and pile bending moments. Excess pore pressure ratio, ground acceleration and pile acceleration, and pile bending moment largely depend on the shaking amplitude.     

An experimental study on dynamic response for MICP strengthening liquefiable sands

The technology of bio-grouting is a new technique for soft ground improvement. Many researchers have carried out a large number of experiments and study on this topic. However, few studies have been carried out on the dynamic response of solidified sand samples, such reducing liquefaction in sand. To study this characteristic of microbial-strengthened liquefiable sandy foundation, a microorganism formula and grouting scheme is applied. After grouting, the solidified samples are tested via dynamic triaxial testing to examine the cyclic performance of solidified sand samples. The results indicate that the solidified sand samples with various strengths can be obtained to meet different engineering requirements, the use of bacteria solution and nutritive salt is reduced, and solidified time is shortened to 1-2 days. Most importantly, in the study of the dynamic response, it is found that the MICP grouting scheme is effective in improving liquefiable sand characteristic, such as liquefaction resistance.