Foundation–structure systems over a rupturing normal fault: Part II. Analysis of the Kocaeli case histories

Motivated by the observed (successful and unsuccessful) performance of numerous structures on top of, or immediately next to a normal fault that ruptured during the Kocaeli 1999 earthquake, this paper: (i) develops a two-step finite element methodology to study the propagation of a fault rupture through soil and its interplay with the foundation–structure system, denoted hereafter “Fault Rupture–Soil– Foundation–Structure Interaction” (FR–SFSI), (ii) provides validation of the developed methodology through successful Class “A” predictions of centrifuge model tests, and (iii) applies the centrifuge-validated methodology to study one-by-one the Kocaeli case histories of the first paper (Part I). It is shown that the presence of a structure on top of an outcropping fault may have a significant influence on the rupture path: with heavy structures founded on continuous and rigid foundations, the fault rupture diverts substantially and may avoid rupturing underneath the structure. The latter undergoes rigid body rotation, with its foundation sometimes loosing contact with the bearing soil, but in most cases retaining its structural integrity. In stark contrast, buildings on isolated footings and, perhaps surprisingly, piles exert a smaller diversion of the rupture which is thus likely to outcrop between the footings or pile caps; the latter may thus undergo devastating differential displacements. It is shown that structures in the vicinity of faults can be designed to survive significant dislocations. The “secret” of successful performance lies on the continuity, stiffness, and rigidity of the foundation.     

Numerical analyses of fault–foundation interaction

Field evidence from recent earthquakes has shown that structures can be designed to survive major surface dislocations. This paper: (i) Describes three different finite element (FE) methods of analysis, that were developed to simulate dip slip fault rupture propagation through soil and its interaction with foundation–structure systems; (ii) Validates the developed FE methodologies against centrifuge model tests that were conducted at the University of Dundee, Scotland; and (iii) Utilises one of these analysis methods to conduct a short parametric study on the interaction of idealised 2- and 5-story residential structures lying on slab foundations subjected to normal fault rupture. The comparison between numerical and centrifuge model test results shows that reliable predictions can be achieved with reasonably sophisticated constitutive soil models that take account of soil softening after failure. A prerequisite is an adequately refined FE mesh, combined with interface elements with tension cut-off between the soil and the structure. The results of the parametric study reveal that the increase of the surcharge load q of the structure leads to larger fault rupture diversion and “smoothing” of the settlement profile, allowing reduction of its stressing. Soil compliance is shown to be beneficial to the stressing of a structure. For a given soil depth H and imposed dislocation h, the rotation Δθ of the structure is shown to be a function of: (a) its location relative to the fault rupture; (b) the surcharge load q; and (c) soil compliance.     

Fault rupture–foundation interaction: selected case histories

The 1999 earthquakes in Turkey and Taiwan, offering a variety of case histories with structures subjected to large tectonic displacements, have refueled the interest of the earthquake engineering community on the subject. While several structures were severely damaged or even collapsed, there were numerous examples of satisfactory performance. Even more astonishingly, in specific cases the surface fault rupture was effectively diverted due to the presence of a structure. For the purpose of developing deeper insights into the main mechanisms controlling this fascinating interplay, this article documents selected field case histories of fault rupture–foundation interaction from (a) the M_w 7.4 Kocaeli (August 17) 1999 earthquake in Turkey, (b) the M_w 7.1 Düzce-Bolu (November 12) 1999 earthquake in Turkey, (c) the M_w 7.6 Chi–Chi (September 21) 1999 earthquake in Taiwan, and (d) surface faulting in Mount Etna. A subset of the case histories presented herein is analysed numerically, using the methods developed in the companion paper. It is shown that relatively “heavy” or stiff structures supported by continuous and rigid foundations may divert the fault rupture. Such structures are subjected to rigid body rotation, without substantial structural distress. In contrast, structures on structurally–resilient foundation systems or on isolated supports are prone to substantial damage.     

Preliminary design recommendations for dip-slip fault–foundation interaction

The article outlines the main findings and conclusions of the QUAKER research project and other related studies on the behaviour of foundations built on top of a rupturing dip-slip fault. Although emphasis is placed on normal faults, the derived conclusions are valid for reverse faults, as well. A key conclusion is that it is quite feasible to design a foundation to withstand an underneath rupturing fault. Practical design recommendations suitable for developing future Code requirements on the subject, are developed on the basis of the presented conclusions.     

沉管隧道穿越纵向非均匀场地振动台试验研究

为了研究穿越纵向非均匀场地的沉管隧道地震反应规律,进行了沉管隧道穿越砂土-黏土场地和均匀砂土场地两种工况的振动台试验。沉管隧道模型材料主要为微粒混凝土和镀锌钢丝,接头材料为橡胶,模型缩尺比为1/30,采用层叠剪切箱装填黏土和砂土构成纵向非均匀场地,输入荷载为不同峰值的El Centro波和Kobe波。采集土层和隧道不同观测点处的加速度和应变等数据并进行分析,研究在不同性质土层中的沉管隧道地震反应的特点,分析纵向非均匀场地对于沉管隧道地震反应的影响。试验结果表明砂土和黏土不同的动力特性会导致沉管隧道地震反应各异:穿越非均匀场地沉管隧道加速度反应、应变反应和管节间相对位移反应明显异于均匀场地沉管隧道,且在输入不同峰值的地震波下呈现不同规律。试验结果可供沉管隧道抗震设计参考。     

P波斜入射角对沉管隧道地震响应的影响

为了研究P波斜入射对沉管隧道地震响应的影响,以港珠澳大桥沉管隧道为工程背景,考虑上覆海水与海床、沉管隧道之间耦合作用,采用粘弹性边界和等效力的地震荷载输入方式,利用ADINA软件建立三维有限元模型进行地震响应分析。分析入射角为0°、20°、40°、50°、60°时P波对沉管隧道环向应力峰值（正应力峰值、剪应力峰值）和位移峰值的影响,结果表明:入射角为40°时,沉管隧道应力峰值最大;入射角为0°—40°时,隧道的应力峰值逐渐增大,入射角为40°—60°时,隧道的应力峰值逐渐减小;隧道截面4个转角处及隔墙与顶板、底板的连接处为隧道剪应力峰值最大处;隧道截面左侧剪应力峰值远大于右侧;隧道顶板正应力峰值最大,顶板的正应力峰值大约为底板的2倍;隧道截面左侧位移峰值远大于隧道截面右侧。     

Simplified approach for design of raft foundations against fault rupture. Part Ⅱ： soil-structure interaction

This is the second paper of two, which describe the results of an integrated research effort to develop a four-step simplified approach for design of raft foundations against dip-slip （normal and thrust） fault rupture. The first two steps dealing with fault rupture propagation in the free-field were presented in the companion paper. This paper develops an approximate analytical method to analyze soil-foundation-structure interaction （SFSI）, involving two additional phenomena： （i） fault rupture diversion （Step 3）; and （ii） modification of the vertical displacement profile （Step 4）. For the first phenomenon （Step 3）, an approximate energy-based approach is developed to estimate the diversion of a fault rupture due to presence of a raft foundation. The normalized critical load for complete diversion is shown to be a function of soil strength, coefficient of earth pressure at rest, bedrock depth, and the horizontal position of the foundation relative to the outcropping fault rupture. For the second phenomenon （Step 4）, a heuristic approach is proposed, which ＂scans＂ through possible equilibrium positions to detect the one that best satisfies force and moment equilibrium. Thus, we account for the strong geometric nonlinearities that govern this interaction, such as uplifting and second order （P-△） effects. Comparisons with centrifuge-validated finite element analyses demonstrate the efficacy of the method. Its simplicity makes possible its utilization for preliminary design.     

Rupture segmentation and assessment of probabilities of seismic potential on the Xiaojiang fault zone

Spatial distribution of sources of strong and large earthquakes on the Xiaojiang fault zone in eastern Yunnan is studied according to historical earthquake data. 7 segments of relatively independent sources or basic units of rupture along the fault zone have been identified preliminarily. On every segment, time intervals between main historical earthquakes are generally characterized by “time-predictable” recurrence behavior with indetermination. A statistic model for the time intervals between earthquakes of the fault zone has been preliminarily established. And a mathematical method has been introduced into this paper to reckon average recurrence interval between earthquakes under the condition of having known the size of the last event at a specific segment. Based on these, ranges of the average recurrence intervals given confidence have been estimated for events of various sizes on the fault zone. Further, the author puts forward a real-time probabilistic model that is suitable to analyze seismic potential for individual segments along a fault zone on which earthquake recurrence intervals have been characterized by quasi-time-predictable behavior, and applies this model to calculate conditional probabilities and probability gains of earthquake recurring on the individual segments of the Xiaojiang fault zone during the period from 1991 to 2005. As a consequence, it has shown that two parts of this fault zone, from south of Dongchuan to Songming and from Chengjiang to Huaning, have relatively high likelihoods for strong or large earthquake recurring in the future. The Chinese version of this paper appeared in the Chinese edition ofActa Seismologica Sinica,15, 322–330, 1993.     

Site effects “on the rock”: the case of Castelvecchio Subequo (L’Aquila, central Italy)

The April 6, 2009 L’Aquila earthquake was responsible for an “anomalous”, relatively high degree of damage (i.e. Is 7 MCS scale) at Castelvecchio Subequo (CS). Indeed, the village is located at source-to-site distance of about 40 km, and it is surrounded by other inhabited centres to which considerably lower intensities, i.e. Is 5–6, have been attributed. Moreover, the damage was irregularly distributed within CS, being mainly concentrated in the uppermost portion of the old village. Geophysical investigations (ambient seismic noise and weak ground motions analyses) revealed that site effects occurred at CS. Amplifications of the ground motion, mainly striking NE–SW, have been detected at the uppermost portion of the carbonate ridge on which the village is built. Geological/structural and geomechanical field surveys defined that the CS ridge is affected by sets of fractures, joints and shear planes—mainly roughly NW–SE and N–S trending—that are related to the deformation zone of the Subequana valley fault system and to transfer faults linking northward the mentioned tectonic feature with the Middle Aterno Valley fault system. In particular, our investigations highlight that seismic amplifications occur where joints set NW–SE trending are open. On the other hand, no amplification is seen in portions of the ridge where the bedrock is densely fractured but no open joints occur. The fracture opening seems related to the toppling tendency of the bedrock slabs, owing to the local geomorphic setting. These investigations suggest that the detected amplification of the ground motion is probably related to the polarization of the seismic waves along the Castelvecchio Subequo ridge, with the consequent oscillation of the rock slabs perpendicularly to the fractures azimuth.     

Analysis of cut-and-cover tunnels against large tectonic deformation

Tunnels are believed to be rather “insensitive” to earthquakes. Although a number of case histories seem to favor such an argument, failures and collapses of underground structures in the earthquakes of Kobe (1995), Düzce–Bolu (1999), and Taiwan (1999) have shown that there are exceptions to this “rule”. Among them: the case of tunnels crossed by fault rupture. This paper presents the analysis and design of two highway cut-and-cover tunnels in Greece against large tectonic dislocation from a normal fault. The analysis, conducted with finite elements, places particular emphasis on realistically modeling the tunnel-soil interface. Soil behavior is modeled thorough an elastoplastic constitutive model with isotropic strain softening, which has been extensively validated through successful predictions of centrifuge model tests. A primary conclusion emerging from the paper is that the design of cut-and-cover structures against large tectonic deformation is quite feasible. It is shown that the rupture path is strongly affected by the presence of the tunnel, leading to development of beneficial stress-relieving phenomena such as diversion, bifurcation, and diffusion. The tunnel may be subjected either to hogging deformation when the rupture emerges close to its hanging-wall edge, or to sagging deformation when the rupture is near its footwall edge. Paradoxically, the maximum stressing is not always attained with the maximum imposed dislocation. Therefore, the design should be performed on the basis of design envelopes of the internal forces, with respect to the location of the fault rupture and the magnitude of dislocation. Although this study was prompted by the needs of a specific project, the method of analysis, the design concepts, and many of the conclusions are sufficiently general to merit wider application.     

Mining-induced seismicity in faulted geologic structures: An analysis of seismicity-induced slip potential

Relationships between the locations of mining-induced seismic events, local fault structure, and mine geometry were examined in a deep hard-rock mine in northern Idaho. Stopes experiencing rock bursts and other large seismic events were found to fall into two structural regimes: the Silver Vein, and the N48°W Trend, a steeply dipping plane of seismic activity that is subparallel to major local steeply dipping faults which bound blocky structures. The N48°W Trend also intersects a shaft that was seriously damaged when fault gouge was expelled into the opening during a 3-month period of high seismic energy release. Models of stress interaction are used to support the hypothesis that mining-induced deformation was mobilized along a 1.5 km length of the N48°W Trend. Specifically, numerical models are used to simulate rupture of seismic events and estimate induced changes in the quasi-static stress field. A Coulomb failure criterion is used with these results to estimate the spatial variation in potential for slip on planes parallel to local faulting. Increases in the potential for slip on fault planes subparallel to the N48°W Trend are consistent with activation of deformation along its 1.5 km length. For events with constant seismic moment, stress drop is shown to be far more important than source dimension in elevating slip potential along the observed plane of seismic activity     

三维激光扫描技术与断层面形貌量化分析在基岩区古地震研究中的应用

由于对第四纪地层的严重依赖,传统古地震探槽研究方法在基岩区难以发挥作用,导致无法获取基岩区断层的强震活动历史。本研究以山西地堑系的交城断裂为目标断裂,以断裂北段2处基岩断层面为研究对象,通过三维激光扫描技术获取基岩断层面高精度形貌,基于变差函数法结合滑动窗口操作量化断层表面形貌特征,开展在基岩区提取断裂古地震信息的实例研究。结果显示,2处基岩断层面的形貌在高度上具有明显的分段特征,指示了断层面在地震事件作用下的分段出露过程。这种断层面形貌分段特征可以用来识别古地震事件和同震位移量。在思西村基岩断层面上,识别出由老到新的3次古地震事件,同震倾滑位移量依次为2.0 m、1.9 m和2.3 m,在上兰镇基岩断层面上,识别出由老到新的3次古地震事件,同震倾滑位移量依次为1.4 m、2.5 m和2.0 m,指示了交城断裂北、中段具有产生同震位移量大于2 m、震级大于7.5级的破裂型地震的能力。上述研究成果表明,基于三维激光扫描和形貌量化分析方法开展基岩断层面古地震研究,可以准确而高效地识别古地震事件次数和同震位移量,扩展古地震的研究对象,拓宽古地震的研究空间。在未来的研究中,可以适时地开展宇宙成因核素测年以测定断层面的暴露年龄,获得发震年代,给予地震序列年龄框架。     

龙陵-澜沧新生断裂带地震破裂分段与地震预测研究

龙陵 -澜沧新生断裂带的地震活动具频度高、强度大、周期短等特征 ,并以双震或震群型为主。断裂带由多条次级新生断层组成 ,呈斜列或共轭式展布 ,根据结构、规模、地震活动差异等因素把断裂带划分为 4个一级段、13个二级段 ,其中有 4个二级段又可划分出 8个三级段。历史上发生过大震、强震并有地震断层伴生的断层段为地震破裂单元 ;断裂带上晚第四纪有活动并有古地震事件 ,但无历史地震记载的地段为断层闭锁单元 ;次级断层之间的阶区或连接点为障碍体单元。从地震破裂特征分析 ,断裂带由破裂、闭锁、障碍体单元组成 ,根据地震、古地震、活断层、断层阶区的活动规律 ,断裂带可划分出 9个破裂单元、8个闭锁单元、10个障碍体单元。三者之间呈迁移、触发和转换能量的关系。根据这些关系和地震构造标志 ,对断裂带上未来可能发生大震、强震、中强震的地区分别作了预测。预测的危险区有 9个 ,其中大震区 1个 (永康 -永德地区 ) ,强震区 3个 (马站、石灰窑、酒房-勐混 ) ,中强震区 5个 (下顺江、里仁、大岗山、南明 -澜沧、勐遮     

2D numerical investigation of segmental tunnel lining under seismic loading

Segmental tunnel linings are now often used for seismic areas. However, the influence of segment joints on the segmental lining behavior under seismic loading has not been thoroughly considered in the literature. This paper presents a numerical study, which has been performed under seismic circumstance, to investigate the factors that affect segmental tunnel lining behavior. Analyses have been carried out using a two-dimensional finite difference element model. The proposed model allows studying the effect of the rotational joint stiffness, radial stiffness and the axial stiffness of the longitudinal joints. The numerical results show that a segmental lining can perform better than a continuous lining during earthquake. It has been seen that the influence of the joint distribution, the joint rotational stiffness, the joint axial stiffness, Young׳s modulus of the ground surrounding the tunnel, the lateral earth pressure factor and the maximum shear strain should not be neglected. Some important differences of the segmental tunnel lining behavior under static and seismic conditions have been highlighted.     

A two－dimensional earthquake fault modeling with fractal structure strength distribution

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青海玉树地震(M_s=7.1)产生超剪切破裂过程的动力学机制研究

由于2010年玉树地震(Ms=7.1)产生了超剪切地震破裂,所以地震灾害特别严重.国内外地球科学家对该地震产生超剪切破裂过程的物理机制一直非常关注,但至今没有给出满意的解答.为此,文中根据玉树地震发震断层的实际几何构建有限单元数值模型,模型中的断层由2个断层段构成,它们之间有约10°的夹角,形成断层拐折.模拟结果表明,玉树地震的破裂由2个子事件组成;当破裂在震源所在的断层上成核后,先在第一个断层段上传播,其速度为亚剪切波速度;当破裂一旦越过断层拐折,在第二个断层段上传播时,破裂速度就立即转变为超剪切波速度.计算结果显示,当断层发生超剪切破裂时,断层上的位错幅度、破裂产生的地震波速度及加速度都会显著增大,从而造成地震灾害大大增加,这很可能是玉树地震的震害特别严重的重要原因.从模拟实验中还看到,若是模型中的断层没有发生拐折,在模型的其他参数都保持不变的情况下,破裂速度不会发生变化.但是,若初始应力场的方位与断层之间的夹角发生变化,这时断裂系统中尽管存在断层拐折,也不是一定能产生超剪切破裂.只有当初始应力方位与断层之间的夹角以及断层走向变化的偏角二者之间的关系恰到好处时,断层拐折才有可能促使断层破裂由亚剪切转化为超剪切破裂.所以,玉树地震之所以能产生超剪切地震破裂,恰恰是发震断层几何与初始应力场方位之间的关系达到某种"最佳状态"的结果.这也可能是天然地震中超剪切破裂事件稀少的原因之一.因此,研究超剪切地震破裂过程的动力学机制,对于深入研究地震震源过程、地震灾害评估等有着非常重要的科学意义.     

断层间相互作用与地震触发机制的研究进展

计算地震引起的静、动应力变化量空间分布图象是国内外研究断层间相互作用与地震触发机制的两个主要方法。依据半弹性空间地震位错理论获得的静应力变化量，可以长期存在于邻近断层面上，直至下一次地震发生。因此，静应力变化量空间分布图象既被用来解释一次地震后余震活动在邻近断层上的分布规律，又被用来研究一个地区几十年至几百年地震活动过程中断层问相互作用特点和强震迁移规律。但静应力变化量随距离缩减快，空间分布与地震破裂扩展方向无关。动应力随距离衰减速度慢，量值大；在地震破裂扩展方向上，动应力变化量可以比相反方向高出一个数量级。由于动应力是伴随地震波传播而出现的，因此，动应力变化量是暂态的，作用于邻近断层面上时间有限。在分析国内外研究现状的基础上，提出我国目前在该研究领域所面临的一些问题，并说明了解决这些问题的主要技术途径。     

阿尔金断裂带东段地表破裂分段研究

对活动断层进行正确的分段有助于我们对地震造成断层的发生、发展过程有一个正确的认识。阿尔金断裂带是青藏高原北部的巨型左旋走滑断裂带 ,将青藏高原和塔里木盆地两大构造单元截然分开。通过对阿尔金断裂带东部青崖子—宽滩山的Spot数字化卫星影像资料进行详细的分析 ,结合研究区内的断错地貌和前人的古地震研究成果 ,对阿尔金断裂带东段进行了地表破裂性分段。将阿尔金断裂带东段青崖子—宽滩山分为 3段 :青崖子—芦草湾为阿克塞破裂段 ;芦草湾—北祁连山逆断裂为疏勒河破裂段 ;北祁连山逆断裂—宽滩山为宽滩山破裂段。其中阿克塞破裂段的最后破裂时间晚于 (5 2 4± 0 4 0 )kaB .P .,疏勒河破裂段最后破裂时间早于 (6 97± 0 5 3)kaB .P .,而宽滩山段的最后破裂时间估计晚于 5kaB     

Soil-structure interaction effects on an instrumented building

The paper highlights the use of fem and bi-directional lumped-mass-storey-stiffness numerical models for the study of the soil–structure interaction (ssi) effects on an instrumented building. Data on the structural response have been obtained through the project for seismic instrumentation of a 16-storey r/c cast-in-place dwelling building (Chisinau, Republic of Moldova) during a series of earthquakes (Gutenberg–Richter M _GR = 5.0−6.7). The effect of soil–structure interaction is clearly observed comparing the responses recorded on foundation and free-field. ssi becomes more pronounced for higher level of ground shaking amplifying the natural period of the structure and slightly suppressing high frequences on the foundation in comparison with the free-field motion.