| Abstract: | Small (1/24- to 1/8-size) nuclear containment structures were subjected to ground shaking from buried explosions and to oscillating forces. The apparent natural frequency or resonant frequency of rocking varies inversely with amplitude of the shaking. The present paper describes an explicit finite difference model of soil-structure interaction induced by explosive loading. The results indicate that non-linear rocking response is primarily a result of debonding-rebonding and compaction of soil at the soil-structure interface. Measurements of dynamic interface stress and post-test inspection of the interface region tend to confirm these findings. |
