Uniform half-plane elastodynamic problems by an approximate boundary element method

In this paper the applicability of an approximate Boundary Element Method to uniform half-plane elastodynamic problems is investigated. This method employs the concept of images to construct approximate fundamental solutions for the half-plane and does not require any half-plane surface discretization. The method is formulated in the frequency domain for the case of harmonic disturbances or the Laplace transform domain for the case of transient disturbances. In the latter case a numerical inversion of the transformed solution is necessary to obtain the time domain response. The proposed method can be used as an alternative to boundary element methods that either utilize the infinite plane fundamental solution and thus require a half-plane surface discretization, or employ the exact half-plane fundamental solution, which even though leads to no surface discretization, is of a very lengthy and complicated form. Two characteristics numerical examples are used to illustrate the proposed method and study its advantages and disadvantages.     

Boundary element method with exterior collocation in two-dimensional elastodynamic problems

In the present paper, the boundary element method with exterior collocation was applied to two-dimensional elastodynamic problems. The stability of the numerical solution was discussed and the collocation rule of source points outside the region being studied was investigated in the frequency domain by means of the computed error in the boundary displacement and the condition number of the coefficient matrix for two typical wave propagation problems. The achieved results are helpful to the practical application of this method to earthquake ground motion analysis.     

Transient elastodynamic analysis by time domain bem in cylindrical coordinates

A time domain boundary element in a cylindrical coordinate system is developed for the analysis of wave propagation in a half space. The integral formulation is based on Graffi's dynamic reciprocal theorem and Stokes' fundamental solutions. The field quantities (displacements and tractions) are expressed as products of Fourier series in the tangential direction and linear polynomials in the other spatial directions. Gaussian integration is used to integrate the non-singular parts of the integral equations, whereas the integration of the singular components, which are either of order 1/r or 1/r², is handled by special numerical schemes. In the time marching aspect, the field quantities are assumed to vary linearly in the temporal direction as well. Examples for wave propagation due to various forms of surface excitations are reported to demonstrate the accuracy of the method.     

Finite element analysis of three-dimensional groundwater flow problems

A numerical method is presented for analysing either steady state or transient three-dimensional groundwater flow problems. The governing equation is formulated in terms of the finite element process using the Galerkin approach, and cubic isoparametric elements are used to simulate the flow domain as these permit accurate modelling of curved boundaries. Particular attention is paid to the time dependent movement of the phreatic surface where an iterative technique based on the replacement of the original transient problem by a discrete number of steady state problems is used to effect a solution. Furthermore, in tracing the movement of the surface use is made of the element formulation theory in order to compute the normal to the boundary.The validity of the technique is first established by analysing a radially symmetrical problem for which an alternative analytical solution is available. Finally, a general three-dimensional flow system is studied for which there is no known analytical solution. It is shown that relatively few elements are required to yield practical solutions.     

Transient analysis of 1D inhomogeneous media by dynamic inhomogeneous finite element method

The dynamic inhomogeneous finite element method is studied for use in the transient analysis of one dimensional inhomogeneous media. The general formula of the inhomogeneous consistent mass matrix is established based on the shape function. In order to research the advantages of this method, it is compared with the general finite element method. A linear bar element is chosen for the discretization tests of material parameters with two fictitious distributions. And, a numerical example is solved to observe the differences in the results between these two methods. Some characteristics of the dynamic inhomogeneous finite element method that demonstrate its advantages are obtained through comparison with the general finite element method. It is found that the method can be used to solve elastic wave motion problems with a large element scale and a large number of iteration steps.     

First-order doubly-asymptotic formulation of the direct stiffness method for elastodynamic problems

A first-order formulation to analyze the dynamic response of layered soil profiles is presented as an alternative to the widely used second-order thin-layer method by the direct stiffness approach, including an efficient simulation of the underlaying elastic half-space. In contrast to the thin-layer method where response is expressed through a combination of second-order propagation modes, the proposed procedure uses first-order modal parameters that have the capacity to provide a good approximation in the complete wave number domain k, including the exact stiffness values for k=0 and k→∞, thus justifying its designation of doubly-asymptotic. This feature allows obtaining the exact soil profile response for static loads, while the proposed treatment of the elastic half-space reproduces naturally the radiation condition without a need of artificial damping. The capacity of the proposed formulation to solve elastodynamic problems is assessed by comparing its results with those of exact solutions available in the literature, and numerical solutions of rigid disks supported on the surface of different soil profiles.     

Acoustic viscoelastic modeling by frequency-domain boundary element method

Earth medium is not completely elastic, with its viscosity resulting in attenuation and dispersion of seismic waves. Most viscoelastic numerical simulations are based on the finite-difference and finite-element methods. Targeted at viscoelastic numerical modeling for multilayered media, the constant-Q acoustic wave equation is transformed into the corresponding wave integral representation with its Green’s function accounting for viscoelastic coefficients. An efficient alternative for full-waveform solution to the integral equation is proposed in this article by extending conventional frequency-domain boundary element methods to viscoelastic media. The viscoelastic boundary element method enjoys a distinct characteristic of the explicit use of boundary continuity conditions of displacement and traction, leading to a semi-analytical solution with sufficient accuracy for simulating the viscoelastic effect across irregular interfaces. Numerical experiments to study the viscoelastic absorption of different Q values demonstrate the accuracy and applicability of the method.     

Transient analysis of wave propagation in non‐homogeneous elastic unbounded domains by using the scaled boundary finite‐element method

The scaled boundary finite‐element method has been developed for the dynamic analysis of unbounded domains. In this method only the boundary is discretized resulting in a reduction of the spatial dimension by one. Like the finite‐element method no fundamental solution is required. This paper extends the scaled boundary finite‐element method to simulate the transient response of non‐homogeneous unbounded domains with the elasticity modulus and mass density varying as power functions of spatial coordinates. To reduce the number of degrees of freedom and the computational cost, the technique of reduced set of base functions is applied. The scaled boundary finite‐element equation for an unbounded domain is reformulated in generalized coordinates. The resulting acceleration unit‐impulse response matrix is obtained and assembled with the equation of motion of standard finite elements. Numerical examples of non‐homogeneous isotropic and transversely isotropic unbounded domains demonstrate the accuracy of the scaled boundary finite‐element method. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Scattering of waves by subterranean structures via the boundary element method

The boundary element method (BEM) is used to study the two-dimensional wave field generated when buried structures of arbitrary shape (i.e. inclusions) in an elastic medium are illuminated (or insonified) by dynamic line sources. Both steady-state responses and time-domain transients are presented. The problem is formulated in the frequency domain by means of appropriate Green's functions. The evaluation of the singular integrals is achieved (and to the best of the writers' knowledge, for the first time in the technical literature) in analytical form, which results in improvements in computational efficiency and accuracy. Closed-form solutions for regular geometries are then used to validate the method. The interaction of two cavities, the formation of shadow zones by inclusions and the complexity of the scattered field from bodies with irregular shapes are used as examples to demonstrate the versatility of the method. The responses computed in the time domain were invariably found to be causal, even for non-convex domains, which belies a recent assertion by some researchers that the application of boundary element methods to concave domains is associated with non-causal effects.     

Time-domain analysis of wave propagation in 3-D unbounded domains by the scaled boundary finite element method

Transient wave propagation in three-dimensional unbounded domains is studied. An efficient numerical approach is proposed, which is based on using the displacement unit-impulse response matrix representing the interaction force–displacement relationship on the near field/far field interface. Spatially, an approximation is used to reduce the computational effort associated with the large size of three-dimensional problems. It is based on subdividing the fully coupled unbounded domain into multiple subdomains. The displacement unit-impulse response matrices of all subdomains are calculated separately. The error associated with this spatial decoupling can be reduced by placing the near field/far field interface further away from the domain of interest. Detailed parameter studies have been conducted using numerical examples, in order to provide guidelines for the proposed spatially local schemes, and to demonstrate the accuracy and high efficiency of the proposed method for three-dimensional soil–structure interaction problems.     

Near shore seismic movements induced by seaquakes using the boundary element method

This study quantifies seismic amplifications in near-shore arising from seaquakes. Within the Boundary Element Method, boundary elements are used to irradiate waves and force densities obtained for each element. Huygens′ Principle is implemented since the diffracted waves are constructed at the boundary from which they are radiated, which is equivalent to Somigliana′s theorem. Application of boundary conditions leads to a system of integral equations of the Fredholm type of second kind and zero order. Several numerical configurations are analyzed: The first is used to verify the present formulation with ideal sea floor configurations to estimate seismic amplifications. With the formulation verified, simple slope configurations are studied to estimate spectra of seismic motions. It is found that P-waves can produce seismic amplifications from 1.2 to 3.9 times the amplitude of the incident wave. SV-waves can generate seismic amplifications up to 4.5 times the incident wave. Another relevant finding is that the highest amplifications are at the shore compared to the ones at the sea floor.     

On causality in dynamic response analysis by time-dependent boundary element methods

The ramifications of a particular type of causality constraint, namely so-called shadow-zones, are explored in the context of time-dependent boundary element methods. In particular, wave propagation problems in 2-D elastic soil media with a non-convex shape are analysed.     

比例边界有限元子结构法研究

比例边界有限元法最初应用于土-结构的相互作用分析，经过近几年的完善和发展，如今已经能够应用到其他很多领域。但是因为比例边界有限元理论是基于相似性要求的，使得其在处理几何形状复杂的结构时，会有很大的局限性，从而在某些领域的应用仍旧受到限制。同时由于其全时空耦合，导致大量计算量和工作量，也是其应用受限的一个原因。采用子结构法，打破这些局限性，并且分别针对有限域、无限域的问题，对比例边界有限元子结构法进行了研究，得出了有利于比例边界有限元法在工程实践中应用的结论，为其在实际工程应用中提供了可靠的依据和规律。     

Computer modeling of geoelectromagnetic fields in three-dimensional media by the finite element method

This work describes the basic approaches to the solution of three-dimensional (3D) problems of geoelectromagnetism with the use of the finite element method and the possibilities of the GeoEM program complex for its implementation. The methods of modeling geoelectromagnetic fields for the most widely known types of controllable sources and the mathematical apparatus for the solution of problems of magnetotelluric soundings are considered. Examples of the calculations of 3D fields for the horizontal and vertical electric lines in planning electric exploration works on the shelf are presented, as well as an example of the 3D interpretation of array transient electromagnetic sounding data during the search for deep-seated target objects in conditions of a mostly heterogeneous upper part of the section.     

Dynamic finite element analysis of three-dimensional soil models with a transmitting element

A method for the dynamic finite element analysis of a non-axisymmetric soil model with an axisymmetric boundary is presented. In the non-axisymmetric soil domain an arbitrary discretization with three-dimensional isoparametric solid elements is used. At the boundary a transmitting element is arranged. It is based on the semi-analytical element of Waas and Kausel. The transformation of the stiffness matrix of the Waas/Kausel element with cyclic symmetric displacements to general displacement fields is presented. For earthquake excitation the forces acting on the discretized domain are given. The method is illustrated by the dynamic analysis of an embedded box-type building. The distribution and magnitude of significant section forces are discussed.     

边界元算法在电法勘探正演中的应用综述

边界元算法是一种计算量小,方便有效的处理开域电、磁场的数值模拟方法,被广泛应用于电法勘探正演领域.本文详述了用边界元算法对电法勘探中电、磁场进行的正演数值模拟,包括稳定电流场的直流电剖面法、直流电测深法和充电法,大地电磁场和人工源谐变电磁场.其中涉及了2D、3D地电体的正演计算和地形校正.对于目前应用广泛的人工源电磁法的3D边界元数值模拟,提出了六点具体的研究发展方向,希望对今后研究有一定帮助.     

Dynamic soil–structure interaction of coupled shear walls by boundary element method

For a class of civil engineering structures, that can be accurately represented by ‘coupled shear walls’ (CSWs), a discrete model for the analysis of the dynamic interaction with the underlying soil is proposed. The CSWs, with one or more rows of openings, rest on a rigid foundation embedded in the elastic or viscoelastic half-space. A hierarchical finite element model based on an equivalent continuum approach is adopted for the structure. A frequency-domain boundary element method is used to represent the half-space. Finally, the set of equations governing the response of the coupled soil-structure system to harmonic lateral loads acting on the structure is also given. The frequency deviation effect with respect to the fixed-base structure and the effects of radiation and material damping in the soil are presented for different characteristics of the structure and different soil properties.     

Dynamic response of 3-D rigid surface foundations by time domain boundary element method

The dynamic response of three-dimensional rigid surface foundations of arbitrary shape is numerically obtained. The foundations are placed on a linear elastic, isotropic and homogeneous half-space representing the soil medium and are subjected to either external dynamic forces or seismic waves of various kinds and directions, with a general transient time variation. The problem is formulated in the time domain by the boundary element method and the response is obtained by a time step-by-step integration. Two examples dealing with three-dimensional rectangular foundations are presented in detail, together with comparisons with other methods, in order to document the accuracy of the method. The main advantages of the proposed method are that, unlike frequency domain techniques, it provides directly the transient response and forms the basis for extension to the case of non-linear behaviour.     

三维沉积盆地对地震动的放大效应间接边界元法模拟

基于一种高精度间接边界元法(IBEM), 实现了沉积盆地三维地震响应的频域、 时域精细求解, 并以半空间中椭球形沉积盆地对平面P波和SV波的散射为例, 着重探讨了入射角度、 入射波型、 入射频率、 盆地长宽比和深宽比对沉积盆地地震动放大效应的影响规律． 结果表明: 盆地形状对地震波的放大效应和空间分布状态具有显著影响, 且具体规律受控于入射波频段． ① 随着盆地深度增大, 盆地边缘面波发育更为充分, 在较宽频段内均会出现显著的地震动放大效应, 且深盆地的放大区域集中于盆地中部． ② 圆形盆地对地震波的汇聚效应最为显著, 而狭长盆地对地震波的汇聚作用相对较弱, 高频情况下可在盆地内部形成多个聚焦区域． ③ 不同波型入射下, 盆地对地震动放大效应的机制有所差异: P波入射下, 竖向位移放大主要是由于盆地边缘面波由四周向中部汇聚所致; SV波入射下, 边缘面波汇聚效应相对较弱, 而当盆地较深时, 底部透射体波和边缘面波易形成同相干涉从而显著放大地震动． 按盆地内外介质波速比为1/2, P波和SV波垂直入射下频域最大放大倍数分别为25和15, 时域放大倍数约为4.0和3.7(雷克子波)． ④ 低频波入射下, 位移从盆地中部向边缘逐渐减小, 且浅层沉积盆地对地表位移幅值的放大作用不明显． ⑤ P波和SV波的入射角度对盆地地震动放大幅值及空间分布特征也具有显著影响．      

A hybrid method for three-dimensional problems of dynamics of foundations

A method is developed applicable to problems of dynamics of arbitrary-geometry foundations. Finite elements are employed in the near field in order to obtain a discrete solution. In the far field, a semidiscrete solution is synthesized from modes also calculated by the finite element method. The solutions are matched by applying the stationarity condition of a functional. Examples of application are presented in order to verify the validity and illustrate the use of the method.