Effects of soil–structure interaction on seismic base isolation

The effects of soil–structure interaction on the performance of a nonlinear seismic base isolation system for a simple elastic structure are examined. The steady-state response of the system to harmonic excitation is obtained by use of the equivalent linearization method. Simple analytical expressions for the deformation of the base isolation system and of the superstructure at resonance are obtained in terms of an effective replacement oscillator characterized by amplitude-dependent frequency, damping ratio, and excitation. Numerical results suggest that the seismic response of a structure resting on an inelastic base isolation system may be larger when the flexibility of the soil is considered than the corresponding response obtained by ignoring the effects of soil–structure interaction. It is shown that, in the undamped case and in the absence of soil–structure interaction effects, a critical harmonic excitation exists beyond which the steady-state resonant response of the isolators and structure become unbounded.     

Influence of plasticity on the seismic soil–micropiles–structure interaction

This paper includes an analysis of the influence of soil plasticity on the seismic response of micropiles. Analysis is carried out using a global three-dimensional modeling in the time domain. The soil behavior is described using the non-associated Mohr–Coulomb criterion. Both the micropiles and the superstructure are modeled as three-dimensional beam elements. Proper boundary conditions are used to ensure waves transmission through the lateral boundaries of the soil mass. Analyses are first conducted for harmonic loadings and then for real earthquake records. They show that plasticity could have a significant influence on the seismic response of the soil–micropiles–structure systems. This influence depends on the amplitude of the seismic loading and the dominant frequencies of both the input motion and the soil–piles–structure system.     

The near-field method for dynamic analysis of structures on soft soils including inelastic soil–structure interaction

The problem of soil–structure interaction analysis with the direct method is studied. The direct method consists of explicitly modeling the surrounding soil to bedrock and the structure resting on the soil. For the soil medium, usually the traditional equivalent linear method with a reduced shear modulus and an increased damping ratio for the soil is used. However, this method does not work in the vicinity of foundation where the soil behavior is highly nonlinear because of presence of large strains. This research proposes a modified equivalent linear method with a further reduction of the soil shear modulus in the near-field of foundation that results in validity of using the equivalent linear method throughout. For regular short, intermediate and tall structures resting on such soft soils, a series of dynamic time-history analysis is implemented using earthquake records scaled to a sample design spectrum and the nonlinear structural responses are compared for different assumptions of soil behavior including the elasto-plastic Mohr–Coulomb, the traditional equivalent linear, and the proposed modified equivalent linear method. This analysis validates the proposed method.     

The effect of soil–structure interaction on the seismic risk to buildings

This paper studies the effect of soil–structure interaction (SSI) on the seismic risk estimates of buildings. Risk, in this context, denotes the probability distribution of seismic monetary loss due to structural and nonstructural damage. The risk analysis here uncovers the probability that SSI is beneficial, detrimental, or uninfluential on seismic losses. The analyses are conducted for a wide range of buildings with different structural systems, numbers of stories, and foundation sizes on various soil types. A probabilistic approach is employed to account for prevailing sources of uncertainty, i.e., those in ground motion and in the properties of the soil–structure system. In this approach, probabilistic models are employed to predict the response, damage, and repair cost of buildings. To properly account for the ground motion uncertainty, a suite of nearly 7000 accelerograms recorded on soil is employed. It is concluded that structures on very soft soils are extremely likely to incur smaller losses due to SSI, which is in line with the common belief that SSI is a favorable effect for such systems. However, the results for buildings on moderately soft soils reveal a considerable probability, up to 0.4, that SSI has an adverse effect on the structure and increases the seismic losses.     

Soil–structure interaction analysis of cable-stayed bridges for spatially varying ground motion components

In this study, it is intended to determine the effects of soil–structure interaction (SSI) and spatially varying ground motion on the dynamic characteristics of cable-stayed bridges. For this purpose, ground motion time histories are simulated for spatially varying ground motions, depending on its components of incoherence, wave-passage and site-response effects. The substructure method, which partitions the total soil–structure system into the structural system and the soil system, is used to treat the soil–structure interaction problem. To emphasize the relative importance of the spatial variability effects of earthquake ground motion, bridge responses are determined for the fixed base bridge model, which neglects the soil–structure interaction (no SSI) and for the bridge model including the soil–structure interaction (SSI). This parametric study concerning the relative importance of the soil–structure interaction and spatially varying ground motion shows that these effects should be considered in the dynamic analyses of cable-stayed bridges.     

Effects of soil–structure interaction on the dynamic properties and seismic response of piled structures

This paper presents a simple and stable procedure for the estimation of periods and dampings of piled shear buildings taking soil–structure interaction into account. A substructuring methodology that includes the three-dimensional character of the foundations is used. The structure is analyzed as founded on an elastic homogeneous half-space and excited by vertically incident S waves. The strategies proposed in the literature to estimate the period and damping are revised, and a modified strategy is proposed including crossed impedances and all damping terms. Ready-to-use graphs are presented for the estimation of flexible-base period and damping in terms of their fixed-base values and the system configuration. Maximum shear forces together with base displacement and rocking peak response are also provided. It is shown that cross-coupled impedances and kinematic interaction factors need to be taken into account to obtain accurate results for piled buildings.     

Seismic damage analysis including inelastic shear–flexure interaction

The paper focusses on seismic damage analysis of reinforced concrete (R/C) members, accounting for shear–flexure interaction in the inelastic range. A finite element of the beam-column type recently proposed by the writers for the seismic analysis of R/C structures is first briefly described. The analytical model consists of two distributed flexibility sub-elements which interact throughout the analysis to simulate inelastic flexural and shear response. The finite element accounts for shear strength degradation with inelastic curvature demand, as well as coupling between inelastic flexural and shear deformations after flexural yielding. Based on this model, a seismic damage index is proposed taking into account both inelastic flexural and shear deformations, as well as their interaction. The finite element and the seismic damage index are used to analyse the response of R/C columns tested under cyclic loading and failing either in shear or in flexure. It is shown that the analytical model and damage index can predict and describe well the hysteretic response of R/C columns with different types of failure.     

Soil–structure interaction in resonant railway bridges

This paper explores dynamic soil–bridge interaction in high speed railway lines. The analysis was conducted using a general and fully three-dimensional multi-body finite element–boundary element model formulated in the time domain to predict vibrations caused by trains passing over the bridge. The vehicle was modelled as a multi-body system, the track and the bridge were modelled using finite elements and the soil was considered as a half-space by the boundary element method. The dynamic response of bridges to vehicle passage is usually studied using moving force and moving mass models. However, the multi-body system allows to consider the quasi-static and dynamic excitation mechanisms. Soil–structure interaction was taken into account by coupling finite elements and boundary elements. The paper presents the results obtained for a simply supported short span bridge in a resonant regime under different soil stiffness conditions.     

Idealisation of soil–structure system to determine inelastic seismic response of mid-rise building frames

In this study, a novel and enhanced soil–structure model is developed adopting the direct analysis method using FLAC 2D software to simulate the complex dynamic soil–structure interaction and treat the behaviour of both soil and structure with equal rigour simultaneously. To have a better judgment on the inelastic structural response, three types of mid-rise moment resisting building frames, including 5, 10, and 15 storey buildings are selected in conjunction with three soil types with the shear wave velocities less than 600 m/s, representing soil classes C_e, D_e and E_e, according to Australian Standards. The above mentioned frames have been analysed under two different boundary conditions: (i) fixed-base (no soil–structure interaction) and (ii) flexible-base (considering soil–structure interaction). The results of the analyses in terms of structural displacements and drifts for the above mentioned boundary conditions have been compared and discussed. It is concluded that considering dynamic soil–structure interaction effects in seismic design of moment resisting building frames resting on soil classes D_e and E_e is essential.     

A model for the seismic analysis of a periodic viaduct when considering the pile–soil–structure interaction

In this study, a new model is developed for the aseismic design of a periodic viaduct when the pile–soil–structure interaction is considered. To account for the influence of the pile–soil–structure interaction, a wavenumber domain boundary element method (WDBEM) model for the periodic pile row supporting the viaduct is developed using the sequence Fourier transform as well as the boundary element method for the elastic medium. By using the WDBEM model for the pile row, the transfer matrices for the beams and piers, the joint conditions at the beam–beam–pier (BBP) junction as well as the periodicity condition for the viaduct, the wavenumber domain response of the periodic viaduct to spatially harmonic waves is determined. Based on the wavenumber domain response of the viaduct, the space-domain response of the viaduct to an arbitrary seismic wave can be obtained by invoking the inverse sequence Fourier transform method. Numerical results show that when the periodic viaduct is exposed to the spatially harmonic wave, resonances may occur at the bounding frequencies of the passbands of the characteristic waves of the viaduct. Also, it is found that the coincidence between the traveling seismic wave and characteristic waves of the viaduct will generate additional resonant frequencies located in passbands of the characteristic waves.     

Study of a 3-D seismic gap

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Active control of irregular buildings considering soil–structure interaction effects

This paper analyzes the soil–structure interaction (SSI) effect on vibration control effectiveness of active tendon systems for an irregular building, modeled as a torsionally coupled (TC) structure, subjected to base excitations such as those induced by earthquakes. An H_∞ direct output feedback control algorithm through minimizing the entropy, a performance index measuring the trade-off between H_∞ optimality and H₂ optimality, is implemented to reduce the seismic responses of TC structures. The control forces are calculated directly from the multiplication of the output measurements by a pre-calculated frequency-independent and time-invariant feedback gain matrix, which is obtained based on a fixed-base model. Numerical simulation results show that the required numbers of sensors, controllers and their installation locations depend highly on the degree of floor eccentricity. For a large two-way eccentric building, a one-way active tendon system placed in one of two frames farthest away from the center of resistance (C.R.) can reduce both translational and torsional responses. The SSI effect is governed by the slenderness ratio of superstructure and by the stiffness ratio of soil to superstructure. When the SSI effect is significant, the proposed control system can still reduce the structural responses, however, with less effectiveness than that of the assumed fixed-base model. Therefore, the TC and SSI effects should be considered in the design of active control devices, especially for high-rise buildings located on soft site.     

Nonlinear seismic behaviour of wall-frame dual systems accounting for soil–structure interaction

The aim of this paper is to study the effects of soil–structure interaction on the seismic response of coupled wall-frame structures on pile foundations designed according to modern seismic provisions. The analysis methodology based on the substructure method is recalled focusing on the modelling of pile group foundations. The nonlinear inertial interaction analysis is performed in the time domain by using a finite element model of the superstructure. Suitable lumped parameter models are implemented to reproduce the frequency-dependent compliance of the soil-foundation systems. The effects of soil–structure interaction are evaluated by considering a realistic case study consisting of a 6-storey 4-bay wall-frame structure founded on piles. Different two-layered soil deposits are investigated by varying the layer thicknesses and properties. Artificial earthquakes are employed to simulate the earthquake input. Comparisons of the results obtained considering compliant base and fixed base models are presented by addressing the effects of soil–structure interaction on displacements, base shears, and ductility demand. The evolution of dissipative mechanisms and the relevant redistribution of shear between the wall and the frame are investigated by considering earthquakes with increasing intensity. Effects on the foundations are also shown by pointing out the importance of both kinematic and inertial interaction. Finally, the response of the structure to some real near-fault records is studied. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Evaluation of the effect of earthquake frequency content on seismic behavior of cantilever retaining wall including soil–structure interaction

A three-dimensional backfill–structure–soil/foundation interaction phenomenon is simulated using the finite element method in order to analyze the dynamic behavior of cantilever retaining wall subjected to different ground motions. Effects of both earthquake frequency content and soil–structure interaction are evaluated by using five different seismic motions and six different soil types. The study mainly consists of three parts. In the first part, following a brief review of the problem, the finite element model with viscous boundary is proposed under fixed-base condition. In the second part, analytical formulations are presented by using modal analysis technique to provide the finite element model verification, and reasonable agreement is found between numerical and analytical results. Finally, the method is extended to further investigate parametrically the effects of not only earthquake frequency content but also soil/foundation interaction, and nonlinear time history analyzes are carried out. By means of changing the soil properties, some comparisons are made on lateral displacements and stress responses under different ground motions. It is concluded that the dynamic response of the cantilever wall is highly sensitive to frequency characteristics of the earthquake record and soil–structure interaction.     

Parametric analysis of eccentric structure–soil interaction system based on branch mode decoupling method

In order to carry out parametric analysis of eccentric structure–soil interaction system, an analytical model based on branch mode decoupling method is presented in this paper. The solution of system equations is implemented in the frequency domain by assuming that the superstructure maintains classic normal modes. The transfer functions of translational and torsional response are derived later. The influence of eccentricity ratio, torsional to translational frequency ratio, height-to-base ratio and foundation flexibility on the curve and peak value of transfer functions and torsionally coupled degree are analyzed and discussed systematically. Results of analysis indicate that the flexibility of foundation soil can weaken the torsional response of superstructure substantially, and the natural frequencies of interaction system reduce as the flexibility of foundation soil increase. The influence of eccentricity ratio on the peak values of transfer functions varies with the torsional to translational frequency ratio, which can be summarized as the decrease of translational component and the increase of torsional component. The translational displacement of SSI system is larger than that of fixed-base condition, while the deformation amplitude is notably reduced. The torsional response decreases as well. As the height-to-base ratio increase, the varying tendency of response is further enhanced. The torsionally coupled degree of eccentric structure is remarkably affected by the torsional to translational frequency ratio, which is significantly reduced under soft soil condition.     

Simulation of soil–foundation–structure interaction of Hualien large-scale seismic test using dynamic centrifuge test

Understanding the soil–structure interaction (SSI) mechanism is crucial in the seismic design of nuclear power plant (NPP) containment systems. Although the numerical analysis method is generally used in seismic design, there is a need for experimental verification for the reliable estimation of SSI behavior. In this study a dynamic centrifuge test was performed to simulate the SSI behavior of a Hualien large-scale seismic test (LSST) during the Chi-Chi earthquake. To simulate the soil profile and dynamic soil properties of the Hualien site, a series of resonant column (RC) tests was performed to determine the model soil preparation conditions, such as the compaction density and the ratio of soil–gravel contents. The variations in the shear wave velocity (V_S) profiles of the sand, gravel, and backfill layers in the model were estimated using the RC test results. During the centrifuge test, the V_S profiles of the model were evaluated using in-flight bender element tests and compared with the in-situ V_S profile at Hualien. The containment building model was modeled using aluminum and the proper scaling laws. A series of dynamic centrifuge tests was performed with a 1/50 scale model using the base motion recorded during the Chi-Chi-earthquake. In the soil layer and foundation level, the centrifuge test results were similar to the LSST data in both the time and frequency domains, but there were differences in the structure owing to the complex structural response as well as the material damping difference between the concrete in the prototype and aluminum in the model. In addition, as the input base motion amplitude was increased to a maximum value of 0.4g (prototype scale), the responses of the soil and containment model were measured. This study shows the potential of utilizing dynamic centrifuge tests as an experimental modeling tool for site specific SSI analyses of soil–foundation–NPP containment system.     

Effects of soil cracking on the seismic response of soil–structure systems

A numerical study on the influence that cracks and discontinuities (closed cracks) can have on the seismic response of a hypothetical soil–structure system is presented and discussed. A 2-D finite-difference model of the soil was developed, considering a bilinear failure surface using a Mohr–Coulomb model. The cracks are simulated with interface elements. The soil stiffness is used to characterize the contact force that is generated when the crack closes. For the cases studied herein, it was considered that the crack does not propagate during the dynamic event. Both cases, open and closed cracks, are considered. The nonlinear behavior was accounted for approximately using equivalent linear properties calibrated against several 1-D wave propagation analyses of selected soil columns with variable depth to account for changes in depth to bed rock. Free field boundaries were used at the edges of the 2-D finite-difference model to allow for energy dissipation of the reflected waves. The effect of cracking on the seismic response was evaluated by comparing the results of site response analysis with and without crack, for several lengths and orientations. The changes in the response obtained for a single crack and a family of cracks were also evaluated. Finally, the impact that a crack may have on the structural response of nearby structures was investigated by solving the seismic-soil–structure interaction of two structures, one flexible and one rigid to bracket the response. From the results of this investigation, insight was gained regarding the effect that discontinuities may have both on the seismic response of soil deposits and on nearby soil–structure systems.     

Comprehensive three dimensional finite element analysis,parametric study and sensitivity analysis on the seismic performance of soil–micropile-superstructure interaction

A comprehensive dynamic three dimensional finite element model, which includes the effect of lots of important parameters on the micropiles seismic performance, has been presented. The validation of the built model has been carried out using remodeling a single degree of freedom shaking table test done by Mc Manus at the University of Canterbury. The gained results proved the accuracy of the constructed model. Then, using the parametric analysis, effects of all the earthquake characteristics, soil properties, superstructure and micropiles' cap and micropiles structure on the seismic performance of micropiles have been investigated by means of presenting internal forces and displacements which occurred as the main result of earthquake. Furthermore, using the data analysis, the most and the least influential parameters on internal forces are obtained based on the Cosine Amplitude Method (CAM).     

Early history of soil–structure interaction

Soil–structure interaction is an interdisciplinary field of endeavor which lies at the intersection of soil and structural mechanics, soil and structural dynamics, earthquake engineering, geophysics and geomechanics, material science, computational and numerical methods, and diverse other technical disciplines. Its origins trace back to the late 19th century, evolved and matured gradually in the ensuing decades and during the first half of the 20th century, and progressed rapidly in the second half stimulated mainly by the needs of the nuclear power and offshore industries, by the debut of powerful computers and simulation tools such as finite elements, and by the needs for improvements in seismic safety. The pages that follow provide a concise review of some of the leading developments that paved the way for the state of the art as it is known today. Inasmuch as static foundation stiffnesses are also widely used in engineering analyses and code formulas for SSI effects, this work includes a brief survey of such static solutions.