Seismic analysis of base-isolated liquid storage tanks using the BE–FE–BE coupling technique

A three-dimensional soil–structure–liquid interaction problem is numerically simulated in order to analyze the dynamic behavior of a base-isolated liquid storage tank subjected to seismic ground motion. A dynamic analysis of a liquid storage tank is carried out using a hybrid formulation, which combines the finite shell elements for structures and the boundary elements for liquid and soil. The system is composed of three parts: the liquid–structure interaction part, the soil–foundation interaction part, and the base-isolation part. In the liquid–structure interaction part, the tank structure is modeled using the finite elements and the liquid is modeled using the internal boundary elements, which satisfy the free surface boundary condition. In the soil–foundation interaction part, the foundation is modeled using the finite elements and the half-space soil media are modeled using the external boundary elements, which satisfy the radiation condition in the infinite domain. Finally, above two parts are connected with the base-isolation system to solve the system's behavior. Numerical examples are presented to demonstrate the accuracy of the developed method, and an earthquake response analysis is carried out to demonstrate the applicability of the developed technique. The properties of a real LNG tank located in the west coast of Korea are used. The effects of the ground and the base-isolation system on the behavior of the tank are analyzed.     

Real-time hybrid experimental system with actuator delay compensation and its application to a piping system with energy absorber

A real-time hybrid experimental method, in which output from an actuator-excited vibration experiment and response calculation are combined on-line and conducted simultaneously in real time, is being developed as a new seismic experimental method for structural systems. In real-time hybrid experiments, however, there is an inevitable actuator-response delay, which has an effect equivalent to negative damping. To solve this problem, a real-time hybrid experimental system (including an actuator-delay compensation method) was developed. And seismic experiments were conducted in order to demonstrate the advantages of this system. Experimental results obtained using the developed hybrid experimental system were compared with exact results obtained using shaking-table experiments, and it was found that the two experimental methods gave almost identical results. It can therefore be concluded that the structural response can be obtained precisely by using the developed hybrid experimental system. Comparison of these experiments showed the advantages of the hybrid experiments; that is, they are simple and economical. This is because the hybrid experiment requires only a small structure as the excitation model, while a shaking-table experiment must consider the whole structural system. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Seismic soil–structure interaction of massive flexible strip-foundations embedded in layered soils by hybrid BEM–FEM

A study on the seismic response of massive flexible strip-foundations embedded in layered soils and subjected to seismic excitation is presented. Emphasis is placed on the investigation of the system response with the aid of a boundary element–finite element formulation proper for the treatment of such soil–structure interaction problems. In the formulation, the boundary element method (BEM) is employed to overcome the difficulties that arise from modeling the infinite soil domain, and the finite element method (FEM) is applied to model the embedded massive flexible strip-foundation. The numerical solution for the soil–foundation system is obtained by coupling the FEM with the BEM through compatibility and equilibrium conditions at the soil–foundation and soil layer interfaces. A parametric study is conducted to investigate the effects of foundation stiffness and embedment on the seismic response.     

The effect of seasonally frozen soil on stochastic response of elevated water tank under random excitation

Significant seismic events have occurred around the world during winter months in regions where cold temperatures cause ground freezing. Current seismic design practice does not address the effects of cold temperatures in the seasonally frozen areas. Since many elevated water tank structures in cold regions are located in seismic active zones, determining the effect of seasonally frozen soil on the stochastic response of elevated water tank structures subjected to random seismic excitation is an important structural consideration. A three dimensional finite element model, which considers viscous boundaries, was built up to obtain the stochastic seismic behavior of an elevated water tank–fluid–soil interaction system for frozen soil condition. For this model, the power spectral density function represents random ground motion applied to each support point of the three dimensional finite element model of the elevated water tank–fluid–soil interaction system. Numerical results show that the soil temperature affects the seismic response of the elevated water tank; whereas the variation in the thickness of the frozen soil causes insignificant changes on the response. In addition, the effect of the variation in water tank’s fullness on the stochastic response of the coupled system is investigated in the study. As a result, the seasonal frost changes the foundation soil stiffness and may impact seismic behavior of the water tank.     

Effect of foundation embedment on seismic behavior of elevated tanks considering fluid–structure-soil interaction

This paper investigates the effects of foundation embedment on the seismic behavior of fluid-elevated tank-foundation–soil system with a structural frame supporting the fluid containing tank. Six different soil types defined in the well-known seismic codes were considered. Both the sloshing effects of the fluid and soil-structure interaction of the elevated tanks located on these six different soils were included in the analyses. Fluid-elevated tank-foundation–soil systems were modeled with the finite element (FE) technique. The fluid-structure interaction was taken into account using Lagrangian fluid FE approximation implemented in the general purpose structural analysis computer program, ANSYS. FE model with viscous boundary was used to include elevated tank-foundation–soil interaction effects. The models were analyzed for the foundations with and without embedment. It was found that the tank roof displacements were affected significantly by the embedment in soft soil, however, this effect was smaller for stiff soil types. Except for soft soil types, embedment did not affect the other response parameters, such as sloshing displacement, of the systems considered in this study.     

分层土-基础-高层框架结构相互作用体系振动台模型试验研究

本文设计实现了分层土－基础－高层框架结构相互作用体系的振动台模型试验，再现了地震动激励下上部结构和基础的震害现象和砂质粉土的液化现象。通过试验，研究了相互作用体系地震动反应的主要规律：由于动力相互作用的影响，软土地基中相互作用体系的频率小于不考虑结构－地基相互作用的结构频率，而阻尼比则大于结构材料阻尼比；体系的振型曲线与刚性地基上结构的振型曲线明显不同，基础处存在平动和转动。土层传递振动的放大或减振作用与土层性质、激励大小等因素有关，砂土层一般起放大作用，砂质粉土层一般起减振隔振作用；由于土体的隔震作用，上部结构接受的振动能量较小，各层反应均较小。上部结构顶层加速度反应组成取决于基础转动刚度、平动刚度和上部结构刚度的相对大小。     

土石坝地震响应的非线性剪切条模型与对比分析

对一维剪切条计算模型进行改进,提出了土石坝非线性地震反应的简化计算方法。首先将坝体沿坝高离散为一系列的具有不同剪切刚度与阻尼比等参数特性的层状体系,建立了各层的振动控制方程及其边值条件,进而采用数学物理方程方法进行了求解,确定了体系的振动特性,并根据振型叠加原理和Duhamel积分确定了坝体地震反应的线弹性解。采用等价线性化方法考虑坝料的动力非线性性质,通过对线弹性地震响应的反复迭代计算,使得各层土的模量和阻尼比与其相应的剪应变水平相协调,确定出与非线性坝体系统相等效的线性解答,并将所得到的地震响应作为非线性地震响应的近似解。最后,以均质坝和心墙坝作为算例进行了具体的数值计算,将所得结果与有限元数值解进行对比分析,论证了所提方法的适用性和合理性。     

Probabilistic assessment for seismic performance of port structures

Past experience has shown that ports are often susceptible to severe damage during earthquakes. From field damage data of 1995 Kobe earthquake, it is observed that the seismic behavior of port structures shows significant variability. In this study, a 2D numerical model, representing PC1 berth located in Port Island, Kobe and damaged in the 1995 Kobe earthquake, has been developed and used to simulate seismic behavior. It has been found that the uncertainties in the friction angle and the shear modulus of reclaimed soil contribute most to the variability of the residual horizontal displacement (RHD) response of the quay wall of port structures. To investigate the propagation of uncertainties of soil–structure system to the quay wall, a tornado diagram and a first-order second-moment analysis are used. Uncertainty of ground motions has also been investigated. Based on the results, design considerations have been provided.     

Seismic analysis of lock–soil–fluid systems by hybrid BEM–FEM

A study of soil–structure–fluid interaction (SSFI) of a lock system subjected to harmonic seismic excitation is presented. The water contained lock is embedded in layered soils supported by a half-space bedrock. The ground excitation is prescribed at the soil–bedrock interface. The response is numerically obtained through a hybrid boundary element (BEM) finite element method (FEM) formulation. The semi-infinite soil and the fluid are modeled by the BEM and the lock is modeled by the FEM. The equilibrium equation for the lock system is obtained by enforcing compatibility and equilibrium conditions at the fluid–structure, soil–structure and soil–layer interfaces under conditions of plane strain. To the authors’ knowledge this is the first study of a lock system that considers the effects of dynamic soil–fluid–structure interaction through a BEM–FEM methodology. A numerical example and parametric studies are presented to examine the effects of the presence of water, lock stiffness, and lock embedment on the response.     

Investigation of seismic behavior of fluid–rectangular tank–soil/foundation systems in frequency domain

Main purpose of this study is to evaluate the dynamic behavior of fluid–rectangular tank–soil/foundation system with a simple and fast seismic analysis procedure. In this procedure, interaction effects are presented by Housner's two mass approximations for fluid and the cone model for soil/foundation system. This approach can determine; displacement at the height of the impulsive mass, the sloshing displacement and base forces for the soil/foundation system conditions including embedment and incompressible soil cases. Models and equations for proposed method were briefly explained for different tank–soil/foundation system combinations. By means of changing soil/foundation conditions, some comparisons are made on base forces and sloshing responses for the cases of embedment and no embedment. The results showed that the displacements and base shear forces generally decreased, with decreasing soil stiffness. However, embedment, wall flexibility, and soil–structure interaction (SSI) did not considerably affect the sloshing displacement.     

An accurate strength amplification factor for the design of SDOF systems with P–Δ effects

The response of structures subjected to seismic actions is always influenced by P–Δ effects. The importance of this effect is generally modest for structures experiencing an elastic response but often relevant for structures responding well within the inelastic range of behaviour. Seismic codes indicate that P–Δ effects may be counterbalanced through an increase in the structural strength required by a first order analysis. This increase is calculated by means of a strength amplification factor. The expressions suggested in codes for this factor are simplistic and often criticized by researchers. In this paper, the effectiveness of some of the provisions reported in the literature or suggested in seismic codes is evaluated on single degree of freedom systems with different periods of vibration. As suggested by past studies, attention is focused on the influence of the interstorey drift sensitivity coefficient, significant duration of the ground motion, class of the site soil, displacement ductility and equivalent viscous damping ratio of the system. Finally, an accurate expression of the strength amplification factor is proposed. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Nonlinearity in the response of soils in the 1995 Kobe earthquake in vertical components of records

Strong motion records provided by seismic vertical arrays allow estimation of stress–strain relations in soils at depths from the surface to the location of the deepest device. As an example, time-dependent nonlinear soil behavior was estimated in vertical components of records obtained in the epicentral area of the 1995 Kobe earthquake. Degradation of the rigidity of soils in the strong motion was observed. The constructed nonlinear models of the soil behavior were used for estimating the nonlinear parts in the ground response by the nonlinear system identification technique. Nonlinear parts in the ground response were found to be as high as 50% at 2 km from the fault and 10% at 6–15 km from the fault plane. Odd types of nonlinearity, such as cubic, the fifth, seventh, etc. order, were found to be typical for soils, whereas, nonlinearities of even types are usually weak, but increase in liquefied soils.     

大空间地下结构地震响应混合试验研究

基于OpenSees-OpenFresco-MTS混合试验系统,选取关键构件底层中柱,进行大空间地下结构地震响应混合试验研究。在混合试验过程中,取结构底层中柱为试验子结构,取结构剩余部分与土体为数值子结构。为了满足试验要求,开发了一种专用于混合试验的可变刚度钢构件。通过更换柱脚螺杆改变试验装置侧向刚度。在混合试验前,根据数值模型中对应单元侧向刚度确定钢构件侧向刚度;根据幅值比和相位差等频域指标评价混合试验结果。试验结果显示:在上海人工波工况、El Centro波工况和Kobe波工况中,理论结果与试验结果匹配良好。在以大空间地下结构地震响应为研究对象时,基于OpenSees-OpenFresco-MTS的混合试验系统具有良好的稳定性与精确性。     

Viscoelastic coupling dampers (VCDs) for enhanced wind and seismic performance of high‐rise buildings

As high‐rise buildings are built taller and more slender, their dynamic behavior becomes an increasingly critical design consideration. Wind‐induced vibrations cause an increase in the lateral wind design loads, but more importantly, they can be perceived by building occupants, creating levels of discomfort ranging from minor annoyance to severe motion sickness. The current techniques to address wind vibration perception include stiffening the lateral load‐resisting system, adding mass to the building, reducing the number of stories, or incorporating a vibration absorber at the top of the building; each solution has significant economic consequences for builders. Significant distributed damage is also expected in tall buildings under severe seismic loading, as a result of the ductile seismic design philosophy that is widely used for such structures. In this paper, the viscoelastic coupling damper (VCD) that was developed at the University of Toronto to increase the level of inherent damping of tall coupled shear wall buildings to control wind‐induced and earthquake‐induced dynamic vibrations is introduced. Damping is provided by incorporating VCDs in lieu of coupling beams in common structural configurations and therefore does not occupy any valuable architectural space, while mitigating building tenant vibration perception problems and reducing both the wind and earthquake responses of the structure. This paper provides an overview of this newly proposed system, its development, and its performance benefits as well as the overall seismic and wind design philosophy that it encompasses. Two tall building case studies incorporating VCDs are presented to demonstrate how the system results in more efficient designs. In the examples that are presented, the focus is on the wind and moderate earthquake responses that often govern the design of such tall slender structures while reference is made to other studies where the response of the system under severe seismic loading conditions is examined in more detail and where results from tests conducted on the viscoelastic material and the VCDs in full‐scale are presented. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

结构-地基动力相互作用体系振动台模型试验研究

本文设计实现了结构－地基动力相互作用体系的振动台试验,通过试验研究了动力相互作用体系的地震动反应的主要规律,由于动力相互作用的影响,软土地基中相互作用体系的频率远小于刚性地基上不考虑结构－地基相互作用的结构频率,而阻尼比例则远大于结构材料阻尼比,软上地基对地震动走滤波和隔震作用,由于上部结构的振动反馈,基底地震动与自由场地震动不相同,上部结构柱顶加速度反应主要由基础转动引起的摆动分量组成,平均分量次之,而弹性变形分量很小,桩身应变幅值呈桩顶大,桩尖小的倒三角形分布,桩上接触压力幅值呈桩顶小,桩尖大的三角形分布,试验表明,结构－地基动力相互作用对体系地震反应的影响是很是显著的,本试验为验证理论与计算分析的研究成果,改进或提出合理的计算模型和分析方法,提出了丰富的试验数据,为进一步研究奠定的基础。     

软土地基核电厂房动力响应振动台试验

为了分析软土地基－筏基础核电厂房结构地震反应规律和特征,利用地震模拟振动台开展了软土地基－筏基础－核电厂房动力相互作用问题的试验研究。分别进行了表面水平土体模型和表面凹陷土体模型的运动相互作用试验、地基土－筏基础－核电厂房振动台相互作用试验、核电厂房直接固定在振动台面上的刚性基底振动台试验。试验采用圆形叠层剪切模型箱,地基土模型为某工程场地的均匀粉质粘土,其剪切波速为213 m/s;核电厂房简化为3层框架剪力墙结构模型。试验输入波形为美国核电规范常用的RG1.60反应谱合成得到的人工地震动时程。振动台试验结果对比分析表明:土－结构体系中系统的振动周期和阻尼明显大于刚性基底下结构的振动周期和阻尼;相同地震作用下在土－结构动力相互作用体系中结构加速度明显小于刚性基底下的结构加速度反应;而位移明显大于刚性基底下结构的位移。本文的研究成果可为软土地基建立核岛厂房的适应研究提供参考。     

Dynamic soil–structure interaction effects on the seismic response of asymmetric buildings

An approach is formulated for the linear analysis of three-dimensional dynamic soil–structure interaction of asymmetric buildings in the time domain, in order to evaluate the seismic response behaviour of torsionally coupled buildings. The asymmetric building is idealized as a single-storey three-dimensional system resting on different soil conditions. The soil beneath the superstructure is modeled as linear elastic solid elements. The contact surface between foundation mat and solid elements of soil is discretised by linear plane interface elements with zero thickness. An interface element is further developed to function between the rigid foundation and soil. As an example, the response of soil–structure interaction of torsionally coupled system under two simultaneous lateral components of El Centro 1940 earthquake records has been evaluated and the effects of base flexibility on the response behaviour of the system are verified.     

北京地区中硬场地对地震动加速度反应谱的放大效应研究

当前,合理确定地震动峰值加速度与反应谱特征周期是工程场地地震动参数确定工作的主要内容。本文以北京地区典型中硬场地为研究对象,分析场地条件对不同周期地震动反应谱值的影响。首先,计算不同震级、震中距条件下的基岩地震动加速度反应谱,合成基岩输入地震动时程;再利用110个工程场地的钻孔资料进行土层地震反应计算,分析中硬场地条件对不同输入环境下的地震动加速度反应谱值的放大效应。结果表明,中硬场地对高、中频震动放大效应明显,尤其是对0.2-0.5s周期段地震动加速度反应谱值的放大倍数大多在1.3以上;场地覆盖层厚度变化对不同频段地震动加速度反应谱值的放大倍数所产生的影响是不同的,与场地自振周期的相关性很强;在不同的地震动输入环境下,中硬场地对不同频段地震动加速度反应谱的影响是不同的,这一结论对实际的抗震设防工作具有一定参考价值。