Laboratory study of seismic free-field response of sand

This paper describes a new soil-structure interaction test box for use on a moderately large shaking table. The test box is designed to replicate, as nearly as possible, the free-field seismic response of a soil layer overlying a rigid base. Results from shaking table testing are presented which demonstrate the ability of the test box to serve as a large-scale shear device. The test box is unique in its ability to determine dynamic shear modulus for both high- and low-amplitude shear strain, and also to study the dynamic response of sand under low levels of confining stress. Dynamic shear modulus for standard Ottawa sand was measured over a wide range of shear strain amplitude and compared with data from the existing literature. Finally, based on results from the test box, a constitutive model is proposed which describes the free field response of a sand layer overlying bedrock and subjected to vertically propagating SH waves. The model is simple in form with a single parameter uniquely related to the friction angle of the sand.     

In-plane response of two-story structures to near-fault ground motion

Linear and non-linear responses of a two-story structural model excited by near-source fault-normal pulse and fault-parallel displacement are investigated. For the considered linear system, the multi-component differential-motion effects amplify the first-story drifts 3.0–4.0 times relative to the excitation by synchronous horizontal ground motion only. The contribution of horizontal differential ground motion to the total drift is about two thirds, and the contribution of vertical and rocking differential ground motions is about one third. For the considered nonlinear system, the effects of vertical and rocking differential ground motions become more significant for the second-story drifts. The horizontal differential ground motion amplifies the first-story drifts, but the simultaneous action of horizontal, vertical, and rocking differential ground motions can amplify the first- and second-story drifts by more than 2.0 times relative to the drifts computed for uniform horizontal ground motion only.     

In-plane seismic response of inhomogeneous alluvial valleys with vertical gradients of velocities and constant Poisson ratio

The propagation of seismic P and SV waves within inhomogeneous alluvial valleys has been investigated using the indirect boundary element method (IBEM). An improvement on the formulae published early, for the 2D Green's functions in an inhomogeneous medium is presented in this work. A modification has been done over these functions in view of its connection to the ray theory. An accuracy analysis validates these modified Green's functions computing the relative error in frequency domain for the SH case, and with a quantitative analysis obtaining envelope and phase misfits of the solution in time domain, for the P–SV case.     

成层地基自由场地面运动的随机模型

地表土层通常具有成层的特点,在地震工程中将覆盖土层简化为力学性质沿竖向成层变化,水平向为各向同性的层状半空间体才会得到更符合实际情况的解答.采用频域分析方法,对多层横观各向同性土层对垂直向上的入射剪切波的反应进行了分析.在此基础上,分析了自由场地面运动的频率响应函数,计算了响应位移的功率谱密度函数,并给出了算例.算例表明,多层土的功率谱密度函数具有多个峰值.采用频域分析方法计算层状土地基在地震作用下的位移和应力响应,避免了时域分析时对波在界面处多次反射和透射的反复追踪,思路清晰,步骤简明.     

Property estimation of free-field sand in 1-g shaking table tests

Experimental data taken from free-field soil in 1-g shaking table tests are valuable for seismic studies on soil-structure interaction. But the available data from medium-to large-scale shaking table tests were not abundant enough to cover a large variety of types and conditions of the soil. In the study, 1-g shaking table tests of a 3-m-height sand column were conducted to provide seismic experimental data about sand. The sand was directly collected in-situ, with the largest grain diameter bein...     

冻土场地地震反应分析研究中的关键问题探讨

总结了当前场地地震反应分析的计算方法与发展现状,得到寒区场地中由于冻土层结构的存在会对地震动的传播和场地的地震反应产生影响的结论。土体在冻结过程中其强度与刚度会显著增强,在地震过程中冻融土层界面的容易发生滑移破坏,并对场地地震反应和地震波的传递特征具有较大影响,是冻土场地地震反应分析中应当考虑的关键问题。鉴于当前场地地震反应计算方法不能模拟该界面的滑移特征的局限性,建议构建冻土场地地震反应计算新方法,并阐述了构建该方法所需要开展的基础性研究工作。     

In-plane foundation-soil interaction for embedded circular foundations

Foundation soil interaction is studied using an analytical two-dimensional model, for circular foundations embedded in a homogeneous elastic half-space and for incident plane P- and SV- and for surface Rayleigh waves. The scattered waves are expanded in complete series of cyclindrical wave functions. A detailed analysis is presented of the foundation response to unit amplitude incident waves as a function of the type of incident waves and angle of incidence, the depth of the embedment and the foundation mass per unit length.It is shown that free-field translations and point rotation approximate well the foundation input motion only for very long incident waves. For shorter incident waves, those in general overestimate the foundation input motion. Neglecting the rotation of the foundation input motion (which is usually done in practice) may eliminate a major contribution to the base excitation of buildings and may cause nonconservative estimates of the forces in these buildings. Incident waves appear as ‘longer’ to a shallow foundation than to a deeper foundation. Therefore, deeper foundations are more effective in reflecting and scattering the short incident waves.     

软土场地基础隔震建筑减震性能研究

本文研究土与结构相互作用(SSI)对多层及中高层基础隔震建筑地震需求及隔震效率的影响规律,隔震层采用LRB铅芯橡胶与LNR普通橡胶隔震支座组合,就我国现行《建筑抗震设计规范》(GB50011-2010)中软土场地设置隔震层问题做探讨。提出土与基础隔震结构相互作用的简化计算模型,对不同场地及隔震设计目标下的多层及中高层基础隔震结构进行时程分析。研究表明:软土场地基础隔震建筑隔震层的有效隔震效率相对于硬土场地有所下降,必须通过设置具有一定规格的LRB支座来满足隔震目标。本文给出了铅芯橡胶支座极限变形需求随建筑层高及隔震目标变化的规律。     

Preliminary site classification of free-field strong motion stations based on Wenchuan earthquake records

During the great Wenchuan earthquake, about 460 permanent free-field stations in National Strong Motion Observation Network System (NSMONS) of China captured the main shock acceleration records. These records can be applied to site effect analyses, and then the site classification of those permanent stations can be carried out firstly, which will served as the fundamental information for further research. In this paper, the site of near-fault stations is classified by horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratio (...     

In-plane floor flexibility effects on torsionally unbalanced systems

This paper presents the results of an analytical work addressed to understand the effects of in-plane floor flexibility on torsionally unbalanced (TU) systems subjected to bidirectional firm-soil earthquake records. The study uses a structural system consisting of a linear-elastic diaphragm supported by non-linear frames oriented along two orthogonal directions. The diaphragm is modelled with plane-stress finite elements and frames with stiffness-degrading flexural elements. Results indicate that an increase of in-plane diaphragm flexibility leads to a reduction of frame displacements for systems with initial lateral period of vibration T>0·4 s. For systems with T⩽0·4 s, in-plane floor flexibility can lead to significant frame displacement increments (50 per cent higher). Results show that these variations on displacements decrease for increasing values of both the seismic-force reduction factor and the system initial lateral period. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.     

In-plane free vibration of supported/free parabolic cables

The free-vibration analysis of parabolic cables fixed at the lower end and free to move in the horizontal direction at the upper end is performed. The dynamic stiffness of such cables is zero at the natural frequencies and this property is used to obtain the governing frequency equation. Double-frequency points at which two consecutive natural frequencies are identical occur for specific values of stiffness parameters. Expressions for the natural modes of vibration and for the contribution of the extensional and inextensional cable resistances to the modal potential energy are given.     

Simplified approach for design of raft foundations against fault rupture. Part Ⅰ： free-field

Over the past few decades, earthquake engineering research mainly focused on the effects of strong seismic shaking. After the 1999 earthquakes in Turkey and Taiwan, and thanks to numerous cases where fault rupture caused substantial damage to structures, the importance of faulting-induced deformation has re-emerged. This paper, along with its companion （Part Ⅱ）, exploits parametric results of finite element analyses and centrifuge model testing in developing a four-step semi-analytical approach for analysis of dip-slip （normal and thrust） fault rupture propagation through sand, its emergence on the ground surface, and its interaction with raft foundations. The present paper （Part Ⅰ） focuses on the effects of faulting in the absence of a structure （i.e., in the free-field）. The semi-analytical approach comprises two-steps： the first deals with the rupture path and the estimation of the location of fault outcropping, and the second with the tectonically- induced displacement profile at the ground surface. In both cases, simple mechanical analogues are used to derive simplified semi-analytical expressions. Centrifuge model test data, in combination with parametric results from nonlinear finite element analyses, are utilized for model calibration. The derived semi-analytical expressions are shown to compare reasonably well with more rigorous experimental and theoretical data, thus providing a useful tool for a first estimation of near-fault seismic hazard.     

Experimental synthesis of seismic horizontal free-field motion of soil in finite-domain simulations with absorbing boundary

In this paper, a fundamental assessment of the method of physical wave-absorbing boundary and centrifuge modeling is presented in the context of experimental simulations of seismic free-field ground motion. Focusing on the characteristics of a sand stratum, a series of seismic tests on models of uniform density and a large width-to-depth ratio with Duxseal as the side boundary were performed using an in-box shake-table system. By means of the transfer function approach in the frequency domain, the complex three-dimensional nature of the dynamic response of the finite soil model with the boundary treatment is demonstrated in terms of its variable resonant frequency distribution at different g-levels. Apart from being helpful in quantifying the difficulty in interpreting the finite-domain response simulations using one-dimensional theories or homogenized representations, the measured data substantiates the need and usefulness of coupling the Duxseal boundary approach with a three-dimensional elastodynamic synthesis. With the aid of a corresponding boundary element implementation, the feasibility of identifying the soil's in-flight shear modulus variation, Poisson's ratio and horizontal-to-vertical earth pressure ratio from the centrifuge model's free-field measurements is also explored.     

In-plane and anti-plane strong shaking of soil systems and structures

The concept of in-plane and anti-plane shaking is introduced with a rigid block on a plane surface with Coulomb friction. Using a hypoplastic constitutive relation to model the mechanical behaviour of the soil, numerical solutions for a rigid block on a thin dry or saturated soil layer are obtained. The coupled nature of dynamic problems involving granular materials is shown, i.e. the motion of the block changes the soil state—skeleton stresses and density—which in turn affects the block motion. Motions of the block as well as soil response can be more realistically calculated by the new model. The same constitutive equation is applied to the numerical simulation of the propagation of plane waves in homogeneous and layered level soil deposits induced by a wave coming from below. Experiments with a novel laminar shake box as well as real seismic records from well-documented sites during strong earthquakes are used to verify the adequacy of the hypoplasticity-based numerical model for the prediction of soil response during strong earthquakes. The response of a homogeneous earth dam subjected to in-plane and anti-plane shaking is investigated numerically. In-plane and anti-plane shaking is shown to cause nearly the same spreading of a sand dam under drained conditions, whereas under undrained conditions anti-plane shaking causes stronger spreading of the dam. The dynamic behaviour of a breakwater founded on rockfill and soft clay during the 1995 Kobe earthquake is back-calculated to show the good performance of the proposed numerical model also with a structure. Section 9 deals with buildings on mattresses of densified cohesionless soils or fine-grained soils with granular columns, slopes with ‘hidden’ dams and structures on piles traversing clayey slopes to show the suitability of hypoplasticity-based models for the earthquake-resistant design and safety assessment of geotechnical systems.     

Effect of a single vibrating building on free-field ground motion: numerical and experimental evidences

The influence of vibrating buildings on the free-field ground motion could affect the earthquake recordings collected inside or nearby the buildings. Some evidences are known for large structures, but also small buildings could adversely affect the quality of the recordings. An example is given for a station of the Italian Accelerometric Network whose recordings show a clear mark of the frequency of the host building. To tackle this problem in a more general way, we performed numerical simulations whose first aim was to validate existing empirical evidence from a test site. Gallipoli et al. (Bull Seismol Soc Am 96:2457–2464, 2006) monitored a release test on a 2-storey R.C. building in Bagnoli (Italy), showing that a single vibrating building may affect the “free-field” motion with an influence that reaches 20% of peak ground acceleration. We re-analysed the data of that experiment following the Safak (Soil Dyn Earthq Eng 17:509–517, 1998) approach to building-soil motion, described as propagation of up- and down-going S-waves. The numerical model is a chain of single degree of freedom oscillators, whose dynamic behaviour depends on mass, stiffness and damping. The agreement between the synthetic and real data encouraged us to use this model to reproduce generalised structures as systems with a single degree of freedom. We run multiple tests varying the distance, between building and station, and the building-soil coupling, obtaining a statistical distribution of the influence of a single vibrating building on free-field ground motion taking into account the distance.     

In-plane shear behaviour of unreinforced and jacketed brick masonry walls

This paper deals with the results of cyclic load tests on masonry walls performed for the purpose of evaluation of in-plane shear behaviour and identification of shear strength, stiffness and energy dissipation. Eight walls in two series were assembled in laboratory conditions. The first series consisted of four unreinforced masonry walls constructed from solid clay bricks and lime mortar. The walls from the second series were strengthened by application of RC jackets on both sides. These were constructed of the same material and were characterized by the same geometry properties and vertical load levels as those of the walls from the first series. The main goal of the tests was to compare the behaviour of the unreinforced and strengthened walls under cyclic horizontal load. The results from the tests showed that the application of the strengthening method contributed to a significant improvement of the shear resistance of the jacketed walls. Analytical models were used to predict the shear resistance of the walls. Good agreement with the experimental results was obtained with a model based on tensile strength of masonry.     

基于UPFs的珊瑚岛礁场地地震反应分析方法研究

合理且高效地模拟珊瑚砂非线性动力特性、远场无限地基辐射阻尼以及海域岛礁动水压力的影响是进行珊瑚岛礁抗震安全分析的关键技术问题.以通用有限元软件ANSYS为研究工具,基于UPFs二次开发灵活性的特点,建立了适用于珊瑚砂地基条件下的岛礁场地地震反应分析时域计算模型.通过创建一种新的珊瑚砂等价线性单元描述岛礁场地的非线性动力...     

Site-specific spectral response of seismic movement due to geometrical and geotechnical characteristics of sites

It is well-known that the response of a site to a seismic solicitation depends on local topographical and geotechnical characteristics. Many aspects of seismic site effect still need to be studied in more detail and they can be incorporated in the seismic norms after quantification. The purpose of this paper is to contribute to establishment of a simple method to include complex site effects in a building code. Horizontal ground movements in various points of two-dimensional (2D) irregular configurations subjected to synthetic SV waves of vertical incidence are calculated. The parametric studies are achieved by means of HYBRID program combining finite elements in the near field and boundary elements in the far field (FEM/BEM). The results are shown in the form of pseudo-acceleration response spectra. For the empty valleys, we can classify the spectral response according to a unique geometric criterion: the “surface/angle” ratio, where surface is the area of the valley opening, and angle denotes the angle between the slope and horizontal line in the above corner. To assess the influence of the 2D effect on the spectral response of filled valleys, the response of alluvial basins are compared with the response of one-dimensional columns of soil. Finally, an offset criterion is proposed to choose a relevant computation method for the spectral acceleration at the surface of alluvial basins.     

Investigation into dynamic response of regional sites to seismic waves using shaking table testing

This study addresses the changes in acceleration,pore water pressure and Fourier spectrums of different types of seismic waves with various amplitudes via large-scale shaking table tests from two sites:a sand-containing regional site and an all-clay site.Comparative analyses of the test results show that the pore water pressures in sand-soil layers of the regional site initially increase and then decrease as the amplitudes of the seismic accelerations increase.The actions of the vertical and vibrational seismic waves contribute to greater pore water pressures.The amplification coefficient of the sand-layer regional site becomes smaller as the seismic waves grow stronger,so that both sites are capable of filtering high frequencies and amplifying low frequencies of seismic waves.This is more apparent with the increase in the peak value of the acceleration,and the natural vibration frequencies of both sites decrease with the transmission of the seismic waves from the basement to the ground surface.The decreasing frequency value of the sand-containing regional site is smaller than that of the all-clay site.