| Abstract: | A finite element analysis is performed to determine the influence of the choice of a constitutive model for the earth medium upon the response to seismic waves of an embedded rigid structure. The seismic forcing function is characterized by Rayleigh waves with amplitude parameters adjusted to provide identical free-field motion at a surface reference point for one particular sand represented with elastic, plastic and viscoelastic models. Within the limitations of the analysis, the result is that the steady-state rigid body motions of the embedded structure are essentially identical for these constitutive relations and, consequently, it is appropriate to use an elastic representation for the earth medium. |
