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 seismicshaking. After the 1999 earthquakes in Turkey and Taiwan, and thanks to numerous cases where fault rupture causedsubstantial damage to structures, the importance of faulting-induced deformation has re-emerged. This paper, along withits companion (Part Ⅱ), exploits parametric results of finite element analyses and centrifuge model testing in developing afour-step semi-analytical approach for analysis of dip-slip (normal and thrust) fault rupture propagation through sand, itsemergence on the ground surface, and its interaction with raft foundations. The present paper (Part Ⅰ) focuses on the effectsof faulting in the absence of a structure (i.e., in the free-field). The semi-analytical approach comprises two-steps: the firstdeals 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 simplifiedsemi-analytical expressions. Centrifuge model test data, in combination with parametric results from nonlinear finite elementanalyses, are utilized for model calibration. The derived semi-analytical expressions are shown to compare reasonably wellwith more rigorous experimental and theoretical data, thus providing a useful tool for a first estimation of near-fault seismichazard.     

桩-土相互作用影响的模型试验研究

通过将模型试验、现场实测的结果与弹性理论解进行对比,指出弹性理论解夸大了桩-桩、桩-土、土-土相互作用影响,造成沉降计算值偏大和过高估计桩顶反力的不均匀性（或筏底地基土反力的不均匀性）,并提出对弹性理论解进行修正的途径和方法。     

北京地铁国贸站隧道周围土体的蠕变试验研究

北京地铁10号线国贸站需穿过现有的国贸立交桥梁群桩基础,为研究该区域土体的流变性质对隧道-土层-桥梁基础及上部结构长期变形的影响,在室内进行了隧道周围土体的三轴排水蠕变试验,并给出了适合描述该土体蠕变性质的Mesri模型的参数。研究表明,隧道周围土体存在一定的蠕变特征,但稳定蠕变速率不大,偏应力较小时,Mesri模型的计算结果与试验结果吻合较好,而偏应力较大时与试验结果稍有差别,但该模型总体上能够较好地描述这一地区土体的蠕变变形特征。     

煤层处置CO2 的二元气- 固耦合数值模拟

利用不可开采煤层处置二氧化碳可以有效控制温室气体的排放量并可驱动和增加煤层气资源的开采量。二氧化碳注入煤层处置后引入一个复杂的CH4-CO2二元气体与煤体的气固耦合问题,耦合了二元气体竞争吸附、竞争扩散,气体渗流以及煤体变形过程。基于COMSOL Multiphysics建立了二元气固耦合的有限元数值模型,并应用数值模拟实验对二元气固耦合进行了机理分析。模拟结果表明,CO2注入煤层后不断驱替CH4,CH4组分明显减少;气体吸附引起的煤层膨胀量可以抵消部分有效应力引起的压缩变形,由于CH4-CO2二元气体较单一CH4引起的煤层吸附膨胀量大,二氧化碳注入煤层后可以缓解煤层的压缩变形;不同孔隙压力条件下,吸附膨胀与孔隙压力两者竞争作用引起的煤层净变形不同,而净变形也控制着煤层孔隙压力和渗流率的变化,煤层渗透整体呈现先降后升,模拟进行到4.66×107 s时煤层渗透率发生反弹。     

科里奥利力对断层作用的统计研究

首先给出了分解到已知断层面法向和切向上的断层错动科里奥利应力(简称为科里奥利法向应力和切向应力)表达式,然后从哈佛大学矩心矩张量目录中选取主余震资料进行分析,按断层分类研究了科里奥利法向应力和主震震级与其最大余震震级差及主震地震矩与余震地震矩总和之差的折合矩震级间的关系.研究结果显示:地震断层错动过程中虽然产生了使断层两盘相互拉离(或挤压)的科里奥利法向应力,它降低(或增加)了断层错动时断层面上的摩擦阻力,但是应力量值太小(科里奥利法向应力估计最大不到0.1MPa,即不到一个大气压),不足以对断层错动及主震能量释放产生影响,从而影响余震的最大震级和总体水平.     

A simplified model for lateral response of large diameter caisson foundations—Linear elastic formulation

The transient response of large embedded foundation elements of length-to-diameter aspect ratio D/B=2–6 is characterized by a complex stress distribution at the pier–soil interface that cannot be adequately represented by means of existing models for shallow foundations or flexible piles. On the other hand, while three-dimensional (3D) numerical solutions are feasible, they are infrequently employed in practice due to their associated cost and effort. Prompted by the scarcity of simplified models for design in current practice, we here develop an analytical model that accounts for the multitude of soil resistance mechanisms mobilized at their base and circumference, while retaining the advantages of simplified methodologies for the design of non-critical facilities. The characteristics of soil resistance mechanisms and corresponding complex spring functions are developed on the basis of finite element simulations, by equating the stiffness matrix terms and/or overall numerically computed response to the analytical expressions derived by means of the proposed Winkler model. Sensitivity analyses are performed for the optimization of the truncated numerical domain size, the optimal finite element size and the far-field dynamic boundary conditions to avoid spurious wave reflections. Numerical simulations of the transient system response to vertically propagating shear waves are next successfully compared to the analytically predicted response. Finally, the applicability of the method is assessed for soil profiles with depth-varying properties. The formulation of frequency-dependent complex spring functions including material damping is also described, while extension of the methodology to account for nonlinear soil behavior and soil–foundation interface separation is described in the conclusion and is being currently investigated.     

Nonlinear seismic soil–pile–structure interactions: Shaking table tests and FEM analyses

In this paper, a soil–pile–structure model is tested on a shaking table subject to both a sinusoidal wave and the acceleration time history of the scaled 1940 El Centro earthquake. A medium-size river sand is compacted into a 1.7-m-high laminar rectangular tank to form a loose fill with a relative density of 15%. A single-storey steel structure of 2.54 ton is placed on a concrete pile cap, which is connected to the four end-bearing piles. A very distinct pounding phenomenon between soil and pile is observed; and, the acceleration response of the pile cap can be three times larger than that of the structural response. The pounding is due to the development of a gap separation between soil and pile, and the extraordinary large inertia force suffered at the top of the pile also induces cracking in the pile. To explain this observed phenomenon, nonlinear finite element method (FEM) analyses with a nonlinear gap element have been carried out. The spikes in the acceleration response of the pile cap caused by pounding can be modeled adequately by the FEM analyses. The present results suggest that one of the probable causes of pile damages is due to seismic pounding between the laterally compressed soil and the pile near the pile cap level.     

Seismic response of an urban bridge-support system in soft clay

The numerical simulation of an instrumented urban bridge support and its foundation system was conducted. The bridge works as a deck in a surface subway station and was built 12 yr ago in the so-called Lake Zone in Mexico City, where very soft clays, exhibiting low shear strength and high compressibility prevail. Since the beginning of its construction, pile loads, soil–raft contact pressures and the overall response of the foundation system have been monitored. Within this period, several earthquakes have occurred. Thus, an extensive database of accelerations, pore pressures and load histories have been recorded. In particular, this paper focuses on the bridge response observed during two moderated intensity events, the 2004, 6.3 M_w, Guerrero Coast and the 1999, 7.0 M_w, Tehuacan earthquakes. Finite element models were developed to reproduce the measured responses and to assess the soil–foundation-support performance for long-term conditions, including the effects of potential changes in the dynamic soil properties due to regional subsidence. The computed dynamic responses obtained with the simulation for the free field and structure compares fairly well with the recordings.     

Efficient 3D nonlinear Winkler model for shallow foundations

This paper presents a new practical modeling approach, based on the beam-on-a-nonlinear Winkler foundation (BNWF) model, to simulate the 3D rocking, vertical and horizontal responses of shallow foundations using structural elements that are readily available in the element library of commercially available structural analysis programs. An assemblage of a moment-rotation hinge, shear hinge connected in series with an elastic frame member attached to the bottom end of ground story columns was proposed to model the response of the footing under combined action of vertical, horizontal and moment loading. To couple the responses of these hinges, two bounding surfaces equations were introduced and derived mathematically: a surface that defines the interaction between the rocking and vertical capacities of the footing along its width and length; and a surface that defines the interaction between the horizontal capacities of the footing along its width and length. Simple calculation steps to evaluate the geometric and mechanical properties of the proposed assemblage of structural elements are provided. The proposed modeling approach was verified using experimental results from large scale model foundations subjected to cyclic loading. Based on this study, it was found that the proposed assemblage can be reliably used in modeling the rocking and horizontal responses of shallow foundations under cyclic loading.