SH Wave Number Green’s Function for a Layered,Elastic Half-Space. Part I: Theory and Dynamic Canyon Response by the Discrete Wave Number Boundary Element Method

We present a closed-form frequency-wave number (ω – k) Green’s function for a layered, elastic half-space under SH wave propagation. It is shown that for every (ω – k) pair, the fundamental solution exhibits two distinctive features: (1) the original layered system can be reduced to a system composed by the uppermost superficial layer over an equivalent half-space; (2) the fundamental solution can be partitioned into three different fundamental solutions, each one carrying out a different physical interpretation, i.e., an equivalent half-space, source image impact, and dispersive wave effect, respectively. Such an interpretation allows the proper use of analytical and numerical integration schemes, and ensures the correct assessment of Cauchy principal value integrals. Our method is based upon a stiffness-matrix scheme, and as a first approach we assume that observation points and the impulsive SH line-source are spatially located within the uppermost superficial layer. We use a discrete wave number boundary element strategy to test the benefits of our fundamental solution. We benchmark our results against reported solutions for an infinitely long circular canyon subjected to oblique incident SH waves within a homogeneous half-space. Our results show an almost exact agreement with previous studies. We further shed light on the impact of horizontal strata by examining the dynamic response of the circular canyon to oblique incident SH waves under different layered half-space configurations and incident angles. Our results show that modifications in the layering structure manifest by larger peak ground responses, and stronger spatial variability due to interactions of the canyon geometry with trapped Love waves in combination with impedance contrast effects.     

A simplified model for lateral response of large diameter caisson foundations—Linear elastic formulation

The transient response of large embedded foundation elements of length-to-diameter aspect ratio D/B=2–6 is characterized by a complex stress distribution at the pier–soil interface that cannot be adequately represented by means of existing models for shallow foundations or flexible piles. On the other hand, while three-dimensional (3D) numerical solutions are feasible, they are infrequently employed in practice due to their associated cost and effort. Prompted by the scarcity of simplified models for design in current practice, we here develop an analytical model that accounts for the multitude of soil resistance mechanisms mobilized at their base and circumference, while retaining the advantages of simplified methodologies for the design of non-critical facilities. The characteristics of soil resistance mechanisms and corresponding complex spring functions are developed on the basis of finite element simulations, by equating the stiffness matrix terms and/or overall numerically computed response to the analytical expressions derived by means of the proposed Winkler model. Sensitivity analyses are performed for the optimization of the truncated numerical domain size, the optimal finite element size and the far-field dynamic boundary conditions to avoid spurious wave reflections. Numerical simulations of the transient system response to vertically propagating shear waves are next successfully compared to the analytically predicted response. Finally, the applicability of the method is assessed for soil profiles with depth-varying properties. The formulation of frequency-dependent complex spring functions including material damping is also described, while extension of the methodology to account for nonlinear soil behavior and soil–foundation interface separation is described in the conclusion and is being currently investigated.     

Modeling shear rigidity of stratified bedrock in site response analysis

Where a distinct soil-rock interface exists, the bedrock medium is commonly treated as elastic half-space and the bedrock surface as the lower boundary of the soil-column model for site response analyses (or the lower boundary of the finite element model for soil-structure interaction analyses). While shear wave velocity in bedrock varies with depth, there has been no consensus amongst scientists and practitioners over the value of “effective depth” into bedrock at which the “half-space” shear wave velocity value should be taken for modeling purposes. This paper reports an interesting and important observation that the effective depth into bedrock is sensitive to the shear wave velocity profile of the overlying soil sediments. A simple and heuristic method, namely Resonant Period Equivalence (RPE) Method, is proposed herein for representing a stratified elastic bedrock of inhomogeneous properties by an equivalent homogeneous elastic half-space medium, which is characterized by a single equivalent shear wave velocity (V_R) value. The proposed calculation method has been verified by extensive comparative analyses involving the use of programs SHAKE and NERA and employing the complete shear wave velocity models of both the soil sediments and the underlying stratified bedrock.     

Axisymmetric vibration of an elastic circular plate bonded on a transversely isotropic multilayered half-space

Based on the analytical layer-element method, an analytical solution is proposed to determine the dynamic interaction between the elastic circular plate and transversely isotropic multilayered half-space. The dynamic response of the elastic circular plate is governed by the classical thin-plate theory with the assumption that the contact surface between the plate and soil is frictionless. The total stiffness matrix of the transversely isotropic multilayered half-space is acquired by assembling the analytical layer-element of each soil layer with the aid of the continuity conditions between adjacent layers. According to the displacement condition of coordination between the plate and soil, the dynamic interaction problem is reduced to that of multilayered transversely isotropic half-space subjected to axisymmetric harmonic vertical loading. Some numerical examples are given to study the vertical vibration of the plate, and the results indicate that the dynamic response of elastic circular plate depends strongly on the material properties of the soils, the rigidity of the plate, the frequency of excitation and the external load form.     

弹性层状半空间中无限长洞室对斜入射 平面SH波的三维散射(Ⅱ) 数值结果与分析

以基岩上单一土层场地为例, 计算分析了在斜入射平面SH波作用下弹性层状半空间中无限长洞室附近的地表位移. 研究表明, 层状半空间中地下洞室对波的散射与均匀半空间情况存在显著差别. 层状场地由于考虑了场地自身的动力特性, 使得洞室附近地表位移幅值的空间变化更为复杂, 基岩与土层刚度比、 土层厚度对散射效应均有着重要影响. 随着基岩与土层刚度比的增大, 地表位移幅值整体上逐渐增大; 随着土层厚度的增大, 土层对地表位移幅值的影响逐渐减小. 在频域解答的基础上, 给出了层状半空间中洞室对斜入射SH波散射的时域解答, 并以Ricker波为例进行了数值计算.      

Buckling and vibration analysis of flexible beams resting on an elastic half-space

The present paper deals with the buckling and vibration of prismatic beams resting on an elastic half-space. The computational procedure developed herein utilizes the advantages of both an analytical approach and a finite element scheme. This is accomplished by deriving exact frequency and axial force dependent stiffness matrices using the analytical solutions of the governing differential equation as ‘shape functions’. The major advantages of the proposed approach over previous ones are pointed out and discussed in detail. Numerical results demonstrating the performance of the proposed method are presented in the final part of the paper.     

Inelastic design spectra accounting for soil conditions

This paper is concerned with the effect of soil conditions on the response of single-degree-of-freedom inelastic systems subjected to earthquake motions. The ground motions considered are 72 horizontal components of motion, most of them recorded during the 3 March, 1985 Chile earthquake (M_s = 7·8) and two main aftershocks; among these records are some of the strongest and longer duration earthquake motions ever recorded. The recording station sites were classified in one of three soil types, which can be generically referred to as rock, firm ground, and medium stiffness soil. Response results for each group were analysed statistically to obtain factors for deriving inelastic design spectra of the Newmark-Hall type, as well as alternative simplified spectral shapes suitable for code formulation. Particular attention was given to the response modification factors (R) that are commonly used in seismic codes to reduce the ordinates of the elastic spectrum to account for the energy dissipation capacity of the structure. The response modification factors, known to be function of both the natural period of vibration and the ductility factor, are found to be dependent on soil conditions, particularly in the case of medium stiffness soils. It is also shown that the indirect procedure of applying R to the elastic design spectrum is less accurate than directly using functions that represent the inelastic design spectrum.     

Response of piles and pile groups to travelling SH-waves

The response of single piles and pile groups under vertically and obliquely incident seismic waves is obtained using the hybrid boundary element (BEM) formulation. The piles are represented by compressible beam-column elements and the soil as a hysteretic viscoelastic half-space. A recently developed Green function corresponding to the dynamic Mindlin problem is implemented in the numerical formulation. Exact analytical solutions for the differential equations for the piles under distributed harmonic excitations are used. Treating the half-space as a three-dimensional elastic continuum, the interaction problem is formulated by satisfying equilibrium and displacement compatibility along the pile-soil interface. Solutions adopted for the seismic waves are obtained by direct integration of the differential equations in terms of amplitudes. Salient features of the seismic response are identified in several non-dimensional plots. Results of the analyses compare favourably with the limited data available in the literature.     

A Second-Order Approach for P-Wave Elastic Impedance Technology

Previous formulation for P-wave elastic impedance (EI) technology considers only first-order effects in isotropic reflectivity. In this paper, Wang's pseudo-quadratic approximation for PP-wave reflection (R_PP) coefficients is used, in order to incorporate nonlinear effects into EI equation. In comparison with coefficients computed with the conventional linear approximation, Wang's pseudo-quadratic formula shows higher accuracy at far incidence. A further nonlinear component in the intermediate region of incidence is responsible for the high accuracy achieved with the pseudo-quadratic Rpp coefficient formula. By applying the same procedures of previous linear formulation to Wang's pseudo-quadratic Rpp coefficient, a second-order approach for EI equation is obtained. This novel approach is formed by multiplication of two terms. The first term represents the previous linear approach for EI equation. As for the second term, it is interpreted as the correction of first-order EI formula to second-order effects. As expected, specialization of the second-order EI equation to normal incidence results in the well-known acoustic impedance (AI). Assumption of invariability in fundamental elastic properties leads to simplification of mathematical procedures. However, high contrasts possibly found within the log window under investigation may corrupt the computation of EI logs by introducing numerical errors. Although two procedures are proposed to cope with numerical errors, modeling shows that the second-order approach for EI is robust enough to handle high contrasts in elastic parameters. Actual well logs are used to verify performance of the novel EI equation in reproducing the amplitude-versus-offset (AVO) response of a mature, oil-bearing sandstone resevoir. As a result, influence of nonlinear effects, which are incorporated into EI equation, is observed on amplitudes and on frequency bandwidth of synthetic seismograms generated at a high angle of incidence. Further experiments with actual well data focus on crossplotting EI logs against fundamental elastic parameters. In terms of accuracy, the outcomes reveal that lithofacies classification can benefit from using the elaboration of EI technology derived in this work.     

横观各向同性饱和地基中埋置荷载的非轴对称瞬态响应

基于孔隙介质的Biot理论,首先利用Laplace变换,给出圆柱坐标系下横观各向同性饱和弹性多孔介质在变换域上的波动方程;将波动方程解耦后,根据方位角的Fourier展开和径向Hankel变换,求解了Biot波动方程,得到以土骨架位移、孔隙水压力和土介质总应力分量的积分形式的一般解;借助一般解,建立了有限厚度饱和土层和饱和半空间的精确动力刚度矩阵,并由土层的层间界面连续条件建立三维非轴对称层状饱和地基的总刚度方程;在此基础上,系统研究了横观各向同性饱和半空间体在内部集中荷载激励下的动力响应,并给出了问题的瞬态解答.该研究为运用边界元法求解饱和地基动力响应奠定了理论基础.     

Dynamic interaction analysis of a circular cylindrical shell of finite length in a half-space

A study on the transient response of a circular cylindrical shell of finite length embedded in a homogeneous, isotropic and linear elastic half-space is presented. The soil-structure system is subjected to suddenly applied explosion waves. The numerical method employed is a combination of the time domain semi-analytical boundary element method used for the semi-infinite soil medium and the finite strip method used for the circular cylindrical shell. The two methods are combined through equilibrium and compatibility conditions at the soil-structure interface. The dynamic responses at the interface between the soil medium and the structure for every time step are obtained. Numerical examples are presented in detail to demonstrate the use and versatility of the proposed method. The following parameters are found to affect the response: (1) the slenderness ratio of the length over the diameter of the shell, L/D; (2) the relative wall thickness, h/a; (3) the relative stiffness ratio between the shell and the medium, E_s/E_m; and (4) the incidence angle of the explosion wave, α.     

Two-dimensional scattering of in-plane body waves due to a discontinuity in bedrock

The direct boundary integral equation technique is used to study in-plane surface amplification of in-plane seismic body waves for the case of an inhomogeneity in a bedrock half-space. In the studied soil configuration, a soil layer rests on a rock half-space which includes a rock inclusion. The rock inclusion considered is a semi-infinite horizontal rock layer in which its upper boundary borders the soil layer. Materials in the soil–rock configuration are considered viscoelastic except for the section of the rock half-space below the level of the rock inclusion which is considered elastic. A parametric study is performed to determine controlling factors for surface displacement due to in-plane body waves. The study investigates varying the stiffness and the thickness of the rock inclusion for a range of frequencies and wave incidence angles. Anti-plane waves for this type of soil-rock configuration have been addressed in a previous article by Heymsfield (Earthquake Engng. Struct. Dyn. 28 : 841–855 (1999)). Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Vertical response of single piles: transient analysis by time-domain BEM

The transient dynamic response of single piles in a layered half-space under a time-dependent vertical force is analyzed by an FEM-BEM coupling approach. The pile is modeled by FEM and the layered half-space is modeled by a general cylindrical coordinates time-domain BEM. Only one-dimensional discretization is necessary on the boundaries of the three-dimensional layered half-space by virtue of the Fourier theory, while the pile shaft can be discretized as a one-dimensional elastic beam. The compatibility and equilibrium conditions between pile shaft and soil layers are employed to assemble respective equations into one. Fairly good agreement between two unknown solutions and the current approach is found. Parametric studies reveal the influences of several dimensionless factors, such as E_p/E_s, l/r₀, _p/_s and ν_s. The effect of soil layering and the support condition of the pile tip is also reported by numerical examples.     

Antiplane dynamic soil-bridge interaction for incident plane SH-waves

The analysis of dynamic soil-bridge interaction has been performed in three steps. These are:

• 1. The analysis of input motions.
• 2. The force-displacement relationships for the foundations.
• 3. The dynamic analysis of the structure itself, i.e. the bridge.

Based on the exact solution of the first two steps, the dynamic interaction of a simple two-dimensional bridge model erected on an elastic half-space has been investigated for a single span case. The two-dimensional model under study consists of an elastic shear girder bridge supported by two rigid abutments and rigid foundations which have a circular cross-section and are welded to the half-space. It has been shown that the dynamic interaction depends on:

• 1. The incidence angle of plane SH-waves.
• 2. The ratio of the rigidity of the girder and the soil.
• 3. The ratio of the girder mass to the mass of the rigid abutment-foundation system.
• 4. The span of the bridge.

The dynamic response of the girder and the effect of the radiative damping in the half-space on the interaction of the girder have been studied.     

MODAL ANALYSIS OF SOFT-SOIL SITES INCLUDING RADIATION DAMPING

For the one-dimensional analysis of soft-soil layers on an elastic half-space, a general form of analytical solution is developed for converting radiation damping due to energy leaking back to the half-space into equivalent modal damping, allowing the modal analysis technique to be extended to a site where radiation damping has to be accounted for. Closed-form solutions for equivalent modal damping ratios and effective modal participation factors are developed for a single layer with a shear wave velocity distribution varying from constant to linearly increasing with depth. Compact and recursive forms of solutions for equivalent modal damping ratios are developed for a system with an arbitrary number of homogeneous layers on an elastic half-space. Comparisons with numerical solutions show that the modal solutions are accurate. The nominal frequency of a site, i.e. the inverse of four times the total shear wave travel time through the layers, is an important parameter for estimating the high mode frequencies. A parameter study shows that for the same impedance ratio of the bottom layer to the elastic half-space, a system of soil layers with an increasing soil rigidity with depth has, in general, larger peak modal amplifications at the ground surface than does a single homogeneous layer on an elastic half-space, while a system with a decreasing soil rigidity with depth has smaller modal peak amplifications. © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

An indirect boundary element method applied to simulate the seismic response of alluvial valleys for incident P,S and Rayleigh waves

A boundary integral formulation is presented and applied to model the ground motion on alluvial valleys under incident P, S and Rayleigh waves. It is based on integral representations for the diffracted and the refracted elastic waves using single-layer boundary sources. This approach is called indirect BEM in the literature as the sources' strengths should be obtained as an intermediate step. Boundary conditions lead to a system of integral equations for boundary sources. A discretization scheme based on the numerical and analytical integration of exact Green's functions for displacements and tractions is used. Various examples are given for two-dimensional problems of diffraction of elastic waves by soft elastic inclusion models of alluvial deposits in an elastic half-space. Results are displayed in both frequency and time domains. These results show the significant influence of locally generated surface waves in seismic response and suggest approximations of practical interest. For shallow alluvial valleys the response and its resonant frequencies are controlled by a coupling mechanism that involves both the simple one-dimensional shear beam model and the propagation of surface waves.     

Analytical layer-element solution to axisymmetric dynamic response of transversely isotropic multilayered half-space

Starting with the governing equations of motion and the constitutive equations of transversely isotropic elastic body, and based on the corresponding algebraic operations and the Hankel transform, the analytical layer-elements of a finite layer and a half-space are obtained in the transformed domain. According to the continuity conditions between adjacent layers, the global stiffness matrix equation is obtained by assembling the analytical layer-element of each single layer. The solutions in the transformed domain are acquired by introducing the boundary conditions into the global stiffness matrix equation, and thus, the corresponding solutions in frequency domain are achieved by taking the inversion of Hankel transform. Finally, some numerical examples are given to illustrate the accuracy of the proposed method, and to study the influence of properties and the frequency of excitation on the dynamic response of the medium.     

Dynamic analysis of 3-D flexible embedded foundations by a frequency domain BEM-FEM

A study on the dynamic response of three-dimensional flexible foundations of arbitrary shape, embedded in a homogenous, isotropic and linear elastic half-space is presented. Both massive and massless foundations are considered. The soil-foundation system is subjected to externally applied forces, and/or to obliquely incident seismic waves. The numerical method employed is a combination of the frequency domain Boundary Element Method, which is used to simulate the elastic soil medium, and the Finite Element Method, on the basis of which the stiffness matrix of the foundation is obtained. The foundation and soil media are combined by enforcing compatibility and equilibrium conditions at their common interface. Both relaxed and completely bonded boundary conditions are considered. The accuracy of the proposed methodology is partially verified through comparison studies with results reported in the literature for rigid embedded foundations.     

Kinematic response of single piles for different boundary conditions: Analytical solutions and normalization schemes

Kinematic pile–soil interaction is investigated analytically through a Beam-on-Dynamic-Winkler-Foundation model. A cylindrical vertical pile in a homogeneous stratum, excited by vertically-propagating harmonic shear waves, is examined in the realm of linear viscoelastic material behaviour. New closed-form solutions for bending, displacements and rotations atop the pile, are derived for different boundary conditions at the head (free, fixed) and tip (free, hinged, fixed). Contrary to classical elastodynamic theory where pile response is governed by six dimensionless ratios, in the realm of the proposed Winkler analysis three dimensionless parameters suffice for describing pile–soil interaction: (1) a mechanical slenderness accounting for geometry and pile–soil stiffness contrast, (2) a dimensionless frequency (which is different from the classical elastodynamic parameter a₀=ω d/V_s), and (3) soil material damping. With reference to kinematic pile bending, insight into the physics of the problem is gained through a rigorous superposition scheme involving an infinitely-long pile excited kinematically, and a pile of finite length excited by a concentrated force and a moment at the tip. It is shown that for long piles kinematic response is governed by a single dimensionless frequency parameter, leading to a unique master curve pertaining to all pile lengths and pile–soil stiffness ratios.     

Dynamic analysis of a layered half-space subjected to moving line loads

Using a thin-layer method enhanced by continued-fraction absorbing boundary conditions, dynamic responses of a layered half-space subjected to a series of constant and time-harmonic line loads moving at a constant speed are studied. The thin-layer method for moving line loads is formulated for plane-strain as well as antiplane-shear conditions and is verified by comparison of computed responses of a homogeneous half-space subjected to a single constant load on its surface against available analytical solutions. Next, time-harmonic loads on a homogeneous half-space are examined. The study continues with both constant and time-harmonic loads on a layered half-space. Finally, multiple constant and time-harmonic loads are considered. The formulation and results demonstrate the effectiveness and versatility of the method in problems of dynamic response of layered media to moving loads.