Effects of the dynamic cross-interaction in the seismic analysis of multiple embedded foundations

A boundary element formulation of the substructure deletion method is presented for the seismic analysis of the dynamic cross-interaction between multiple embedded foundations. This approach is particularly suitable for three-dimensional foundations of any arbitrary geometrical shape and spatial location, since it requires only the discretization of the foundations’ surfaces. The surrounding soil is represented by a homogeneous viscoelastic half-space while the foundations are assumed to be rigid and subjected to incoming SH-, P-, and SV-waves arbitrarily inclined in both the horizontal and vertical planes. The proposed methodology is tested for the case of two identical embedded square foundations for different values of the foundations’ embedment and distance. The effects of the cross-interaction are outlined in the components of the impedance matrix and of the foundation input motion. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Discrete models for vertical vibrations of surface and embedded foundations

A five-parameter discrete model that approximates the dynamic force4isplacement relationship for rigid foundations undergoing vertical vibrations on a uniform elastic half-space is presented. The model involves a combination of two springs, two viscous dampers and a mass. Values of the parameters for circular, square and rectangular foundations placed on the surface or embedded in an elastic half-space are listed. The parameters are obtained by minimizing the discrepancy between the force4isplacement relation for the model and that obtained by solution of the mixed boundary-value problem of the rigid foundation on an elastic half-space. The definition of an appropriate input motion to represent wave excitation is also discussed. The input motion to the discrete model differs from the input motion that should be used in a continuum model.     

A note on the dynamic response of rigid embedded foundations

The problem of the dynamic response of rigid embedded foundations subjected to the action of external forces and seismic excitation is analysed. It is shown that to calculate the response of rigid embedded foundations, or the response of flat rigid foundations subjected to non-vertically incident seismic waves, it is necessary to obtain not only the impedance matrix for the foundation, but also the forces induced by the incident seismic waves. Under these general conditions, rocking and torsional motion of the foundation is generated in addition to translation. The case of a two-dimensional rigid foundation of semi-elliptical cross-section is used as an example to illustrate the effects of the embedment depth and angle of incidence of the seismic waves on the response of the foundation.     

A response-based simplified model for vertical vibrations of embedded foundations

A simplified damped oscillator model is proposed to simulate unbounded soil for the vertical vibration analysis of rigid embedded foundations. Based on the dynamic responses of a foundation–soil system, an optimal equivalent model is determined as the best simplified model. Magnification responses of a foundation–soil system simulated by the optimal equivalent model are well consistent with those obtained by the half-space theory and by a widely used computer program even as embedment depth or vibrating mass increases. The optimal equivalent model utilizing only three parameters can result in responses as accurate as the existing models, which use more parameters. This proposed method uses much simpler procedure than optimization techniques used by most existing discrete models. This proposed method may also be easily and accurately applied to practical soil–structure interaction analysis.     

The dynamics of a rigid foundation on the surface of an elastic half-space

The response of a rigid rectangular foundation block resting on an elastic half-space has been determined by considering first the displacement functions for any position on the surface of an unloaded half-space due to a harmonic point force. The influence of the foundation has been taken into account by assuming a relaxed condition at the interface, i.e. a uniform displacement under the foundation and that the sum of the point forces must equal the total applied force. The three motions of vertical, horizontal and rocking have been considered and numerical values for the in-phase and the quadrature components of the displacement functions are presented for a Poisson's ratio of 0.25. The effect of the mass and inertia of the foundation can be allowed for by an impedance matching technique. Response curves and non-dimensional resonant frequency curves are given for a square and a rectangular foundation for different mass and inertia ratios and for several values of Poisson's ratio. These curves are for design purposes and are an addition to similar published curves for circular and infinitely long rectangular foundations. Some of the calculated results have been verified by a laboratory experiment.     

Vertical vibration of an embedded rigid foundation in a poroelastic soil

This paper considers time-harmonic vertical vibration of an axisymmetric rigid foundation embedded in a homogeneous poroelastic soil. The soil domain is represented by a homogeneous poroelastic half space that is governed by Biot's theory of poroelastodynamics. The foundation is subjected to a time-harmonic vertical load and is perfectly bonded to the surrounding half space. The contact surface can be either fully permeable or impermeable. The dynamic interaction problem is solved by employing an indirect boundary integral equation method. The kernel functions of the integral equation are the influence functions corresponding to vertical and radial ring loads, and a ring fluid source applied in the interior of a homogeneous poroelastic half space. Analytical techniques are used to derive the solution for influence functions. The indirect boundary integral equation is solved by using numerical quadrature. Selected numerical results for vertical impedance of rigid foundations are presented to demonstrate the influence of poroelastic effect, foundation geometry, hydraulic boundary condition along the contact surface and frequency of excitation.     

Horizontal vibration of a rigid disk buried in a poroelastic half-space in contact with a fluid half-space

This paper addresses the horizontal vibration of a rigid disk embedded in a poroelastic half-space in contact with a fluid half-space using the poroelastic theory of potentials. The solution of this problem is expressed in terms of dual integral equations that are converted into Fredholm integral equations of the second kind and solved numerically. Selected numerical results for the horizontal dynamic impedance coefficient are examined based on different poroelastic materials, embedment depths, and excitation frequencies; furthermore, the results are analyzed for the cases in which there is and is no fluid overlying the poroelastic medium to examine the effect of fluid. The results of this study are helpful for designing a foundation embedded in the seabed due to dynamic horizontal forces.     

Filtering action of embedded massive foundations: New analytical expressions and evidence from 2 instrumented buildings

This paper deals with the effect of the foundation mass on the filtering action exerted by embedded foundations. The system under examination comprises a rigid rectangular foundation embedded in a homogeneous isotropic viscoelastic half‐space under harmonic shear waves propagating vertically. The problem is addressed both theoretically and numerically by means of a hybrid approach, where the foundation mass is explicitly included in the kinematic interaction between the foundation and the surrounding soil, thus referring to a “quasi‐kinematic” interaction problem. Based on the results of an extensive parametric study, it is shown that the filtering problem depends essentially on three dimensionless parameters, i.e.: the dimensionless frequency of the input motion, the foundation width‐to‐embedment depth ratio, and the foundation‐to‐soil mass density ratio. In complements to the translational and rotational kinematic interaction factors that are commonly adopted to quantify the filtering effect of rigid massless foundations on the free‐field motion, an additional kinematic interaction factor is introduced, referring to the horizontal motion at the top of a rigid massive foundation. New analytical expressions for the above kinematic interaction factors are proposed and compared with foundation‐to‐free‐field transfer functions computed from available earthquake recordings on two instrumented buildings in LA (California) and Thessaloniki (Greece). Results indicate that the foundation mass can have a strong beneficial effect on the filtering action with increasing foundation‐to‐soil mass density and foundation width‐to‐embedment depth ratios.     

不规则场地上基础的动阻抗及其在入射波作用下的输入运动

本文根据边界元方法建立了位不规则场上刚体的动阻抗和在入射平面波作用下的有效输入运动的分析模型，分析模型考虑了不规则场地和基础对入射波的散射作用以及土与基础的相互作用，通过验证确认了本方法的正确性，文中计算了凹陷，高地和盆地三种不规则场地土不同条件基础的动阻和有效输入的运动，并与半空间地基上相应基础的情况作了对比，计算表明，当基础尺寸与不规则场地范围可比时有必要用本文模型分析不规则场地的影响和土一结     

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.     

Response of L-shaped rigid foundations embedded in a uniform half-space to traveling seismic waves

A simplified indirect boundary element method is applied to compute the impedance functions for L-shaped rigid foundations embedded in a homogeneous viscoelastic half-space. In this method, the waves generated by the 3D vibrating foundation are constructed from radiating sources located on the actual boundary of the foundation. The impedance functions together with the free-field displacements and tractions generated along the soil–foundation interface are used to calculate the foundation input motion for incident P, S and Rayleigh waves. This is accomplished by application of Iguchi's averaging method which, in turn, is verified by comparison with results obtained rigorously using the relation between the solutions of the basic radiation (impedance functions) and scattering (input motions) problems. Numerical results are presented for both surface-supported and embedded foundations. It is shown how the seismic response of L-shaped foundations with symmetrical wings differs from that of enveloping square foundations. The effects of inclination and azimuth of the earthquake excitation are examined as well. These results should be of use in analyses of soil–structure interaction to account for the traveling wave effects usually overlooked in practice.     

Torsional vibrations of elastic foundations embedded in an elastic half-space

This paper examines the axisymmetric torsional vibrations of an elastic pile and a hemispherical foundation embedded in a homogeneous elastic half-space. The embedded foundation–half-space system is decomposed into an extended half-space and a fictitious foundation. The deformations of the fictitious system are specified by an admissible function containing a set of generalized coordinates. The Lagrangian equations of motion are used to determine these coordinates associated with the assumed displacement function. Numerical results are presented for torsional impedance of an elastic pile and a hemisphere to illustrate the effects of relative flexibility and geometry. By employing certain simplifications on the pile–half-space system an approximate closed form solution is presented for the torsional impedance of an elastic pile.     

Effects of the wave passage and the embedment depth for in-plane building-soil interaction

Building foundation-soil interaction is studied in the frequency domain using a two-dimensional analytical model. The building is represented by an infinitely long shear wall resting on a circular foundation, embedded into an elastic homogeneous half-space. Deep and shallow foundations are considered (with depth-to-half-width ratios of 1 and 0·5). Both the dynamic interaction and the wave passage effects are included. The excitation is a plane P- or SV-wave,or a surface Rayleigh wave. The results show that for incident waves which are long relative to the width of the foundation, the foundation driving forces are larger when the embedment is deeper. For shorter incident waves, the input base rotation is larger for shallow foundations and, therefore, the relative building response may then be larger. It is also shown that the input base rotation may contribute significantly to the building excitation and that neglecting it may cause nonconservative estimates for the forces in the building.     

Evaluation of interaction effects on the system period and the system damping due to foundation embedment and layer depth

On the basis of some simplifying assumptions, a parametric analysis is made of the interaction effects on the effective period and damping of structures with embedded foundation in a soil layer. A simplified three-dimensional interaction model is used, in which the depth of a cylindrical foundation, the degree of contact between the ground and the footing walls and the depth of a homogeneous stratum over rigid rock are considered variable. The soil is replaced with impedance functions that are taken from a data base obtained with an appropriate numerical technique, so that suitable springs and -pots dependent on the excitation frequency are used. The system period and system damping are determined from the steady-state response of an equivalent single oscillator with flexible base subjected to a harmonic motion with constant amplitude, by equating its resonant response with that of a replacement oscillator with rigid base excited with the same motion. The influence of the foundation embedment and soil layer is investigated for several depths of both the footing and the stratum.It is confirmed that the system period decreases and the system damping increases with the foundation embedment only for sidewalls extending along the entire foundation depth. For embedded footings without sidewall or with sidewall in null contact with the surrounding soil, the effective system parameters behave opposite to those corresponding to the interface condition of total contact. Also, the system damping increases significantly with the layer depth, while the system period is practically insensitive to variations of this characteristic parameter. Finally, introducing additional permissible simplifications, an improved approximate solution for the effective period and damping of coupled systems is presented, which differs from previous analogous approximations in that damping factors of second order are not neglected and the foundation depth is explicitly considered.     

Impedance functions for foundations embedded in a layered medium: An integral equation approach

An integral equation technique to calculate the dynamic response of foundations embedded in a layered viscoelastic half-space when subjected to external forces and moments is presented. The technique is based on representing the radiated field as resulting from a set of sources distributed over a surface internal to the actual boundary of the foundation and by imposing the boundary conditions in an integral sense. The resulting non-singular integral equation with symmetric kernel is solved by discretization and reduction to a system of linear algebraic equations. The technique is validated by comparison with previous results for cylindrical foundations with different embedment ratios.     

Seismic response of foundations embedded in a layered half-space

An integral equation technique to determine the response of foundations embedded in a layered viscoelastic half-space when subjected to various types of seismic waves is presented. The technique is validated by comparison with previous results for rigid hemispherical and cylindrical foundations embedded in a uniform half-space. Illustrative results for rigid cylindrical foundations embedded in layered media are also presented.     

Dynamic response of flexible rectangular foundations on an elastic half-space

An approximate method for the analysis of the dynamic interaction between a flexible rectangular foundation and the soil with consideration of the out-of-plane deformation of the foundation is presented. The procedure is based on an extension of the subdivision method developed by Wong and Luco for rigid foundations. Numerical results describing the influence of the flexibility of the foundation on the vertical and rocking impedance functions and on the contact stresses between the foundation and the soil are presented. The possibility of representing a flexible foundation by an equivalent rigid foundation having the same force-displacement relationships is also discussed. The results obtained indicate that at low frequencies, the dynamic stiffness coefficients for flexible foundations are lower than those for a rigid foundation of the same area. At higher frequencies the opposite behaviour is observed. The radiation damping coefficients for flexible foundations are significantly lower than those for a rigid foundation of the same area.     

Dynamic response of axisymmetric embedded foundations

The boundary element method is used to obtain dynamic stiffness functions of rigid cylindrical foundations embedded in a uniform or layered viscoelastic half-space. Dynamic stiffness functions of hemispherical foundations embedded in a uniform half-space are also computed. The direct integral equation formulation is used in combination with the complete space point load fundamental solution that is integrated numerically along the azimuthal coordinate. The approach is easy to implement because of the simplicity of the fundamental solution. The numerical results obtained by this method for cylindrical and hemispherical foundations are very close to corresponding published results obtained by different procedures. A parametric study shows the important effects of the Poisson's ratio on the dynamic stiffness functions of cylindrical foundations embedded in a uniform viscoelastic half-space. The effect of the bedrock compliance on the stiffness functions is also shown in the case of cylindrical foundations embedded in a soil layer that rests on a bedrock.     

Discrete model for dynamic through-the-soil coupling of 3-D foundations and structures

An efficient discrete model for predicting the dynamic through-the-soil interaction between adjacent rigid, surface foundations supported by a homogeneous, isotropic and linear elastic half-space is presented. The model utilizes frequency-independent springs and dashpots, and the foundation mass, for the consideration of soil–foundation interaction. The through-the-soil coupling of the foundations is attained by frequency-independent stiffness and damping functions, developed in this work, that interconnect the degrees of freedom of the entire system of foundations. The dynamic analysis of the resulting coupled system is performed in the time domain and includes the time lagging effects of coupled dynamic input due to wave propagation using an appropriate modification of the Wilson-θ method. The basic foundation interaction model is also extended to the evaluation of coupled building-foundation systems. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Dynamic interaction between rigid foundations in a layered half-space

A computationally efficient boundary integral equation technique to calculate the dynamic response of a group of rigid surface foundations bonded to a layered viscoelastic half-space and subjected to external forces and seismic waves is presented. The technique relies on an iterative scheme which minimizes in-core memory requirements and takes advantage of any geometrical symmetry of the foundations. Extensive results for the case of two rigid square foundations placed at different separations and bonded to a viscoelastic half-space are presented. It was found that the choice of discretization of the foundations has a marked effect on the calculated impedance functions for extremely small separations. Illustrative results for a case of several closely-spaced foundations bonded to a layered half-space are also presented.