• Proceedings of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute Conference
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• 1999.10a
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• pp.257-266
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• 1999

This paper presents a method of seismic analysis for a cylindrical liquid storage structure on/in horizontally layered half.space considering the effects of the interior fluid and exterior soil medium in the frequency domain. To capture the essence of fluid-structure-soil interaction effects effectively, a mixed finite element with two-field (u, p) approximation is employed to model the compressive inviscid fluid, while the structure and soil medium are presented by the 3-D axisymmetric finite elements and dynamic infinite elements. The present FE-based method can be applied to the system with complex geometry of fluid region as well as with inhomogeneous near-field soil medium, since it can directly model both the fluid and the soil. For the purpose of verification, dominant peak frequencies in transfer functions for horizontal motions of cylindrical fluid storage tanks with rigid massless foundation on a homogeneous viscoelastic half.space are compared with those by two different added mass approaches for the fluid motion. The comparison indicates that the Present FE-based methodology gives accurate solution for the fluid-structure-soil interaction problem. Finally, as a demonstration of versatility of the present study, a seismic analysis for a real-scale LNG storage tank embedded in layered half.space is carried out, and its member forces along the height of the structure are compared with those by an added mass approach developed by the present writers.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.87-103
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• 2014

This study investigated the effect of soil-structure interaction (SSI) on the response of base-isolated buildings. Seismic isolation can significantly reduce the induced seismic loads on a relatively stiff building by introducing flexibility at its base and avoiding resonance with the predominant frequencies of common earthquakes. To provide a better understanding of the movement behavior of multi-story structures during earthquakes, this study analyzed the dynamic behavior of multi-story structures with high damping rubber bearing (HDRB) behavior base isolation systems that were built on soft soil. Various models were developed, both with and without consideration of SSI. Both the superstructure and soil were modeled linearly, but HDRB was modeled non-linearly. The behavior of the specified models under dynamic loads was analyzed using SAP2000 computer software. Erzincan, Marmara and Duzce Earthquakes were chosen as the ground motions. Following the analysis, the displacements, base shear forces, top story accelerations, base level accelerations, periods and maximum internal forces were compared in isolated and fixed-base structures with and without SSI. The results indicate that soil-structure interaction is an important factor (in terms of earthquakes) to consider in the selection of an appropriate isolator for base-isolated structures on soft soils.

• Journal of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute of Korea
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.319-327
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• 2017

In this study, characteristics of seismic behaviors of offshore wind turbine systems using concrete-suction-type supporting structures are investigated. Applying hydrodynamic pressure from the surrounding sea water and interaction forces from the underlying soil to the structural system which is composed of RNA, the tower, and the supporting structure, a governing equation of the system is derived and its earthquake responses are obtained. It can be observed from the analysis results that the responses are significantly influenced by soil-structure interaction because dynamic responses for higher natural vibration modes are increased due to the flexibility of soil. Therefore, the soil-structure interaction must be taken into consideration for accurate assessment of dynamic behaviors of offshore wind turbine systems using concrete-suction-type supporting structures.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.353-363
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• 2017

The present study considers a multi-span continuous bridge, isolated by lead rubber bearing (LRB). Dynamic soilstructure interaction (SSI) is modelled with the help of a simplified, sway-rocking model for different types of soil. It is well understood from the literature that SSI influences the structural responses and the isolator performance. However, the abovementioned effect of SSI also depends on the earthquake ground motion properties. It is very important to understand how the interaction between soil and structure varies with the earthquake ground motion characteristics but, as far as the knowledge of the authors go, no study has been carried out to investigate this effect. Therefore, the objectives of the present study are to investigate the influence of earthquake ground motion characteristics on: (a) the responses of a multi span bridge (isolated and non-isolated), (b) the performance of the isolator and, most importantly, (c) the soil-structure interaction. Statistical analyses are conducted by considering 14 earthquakes which are selected in such a way that they can be categorized into three frequency content groups according to their peak ground acceleration to peak ground velocity (PGA/PGV) ratio. Lumped mass model of the bridge is developed and time history analyses are carried out by solving the governing equations of motion in the state space form. The performance of the isolator is studied by comparing the responses of the bridge with those of the corresponding uncontrolled bridge (i.e., non-isolated bridge). On studying the effect of earthquake motions, it is observed that the earthquake ground motion characteristics affect the interaction between soil and structure in such a way that the responses decrease with increase in frequency content of the earthquake for all the types of soil considered. The reverse phenomenon is observed in case of the isolator performance where the control efficiencies increase with frequency content of earthquake.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.91 no.5
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• pp.469-486
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• 2024

Electric transformers are major components of electrical systems, and damage to them caused by earthquakes can result in significant financial loss. The current study modeled a three-dimensional (3D) isolated electrical transformer under horizontal and vertical records from different earthquakes. Instead of using fixed coefficients, an improved wavelet method has been used to create the greatest compatibility between the response spectra and the target spectrum. This method has primarily been used for dynamic analysis of isolated structures with spring-damper devices because it has shown greater accuracy in predicting the response of such structures. The effect of the nonlinear soil-structure interaction on the probability of transformer failure also has been investigated. Soil and structure interaction modeling was carried out using a beam on a nonlinear Winkler foundation. The effect of the nonlinear soil-structure interaction during dynamic analysis of transformers revealed that the greatest increase in the probability of transformer failure was in the fixed-base condition when the structure was located on soft soil. This intensified the response of the structure and increased the probability of transformer failure by up to 27% for far-field and up to 95% for near-field ground motions. A comparison of the results indicates that the use of 3D isolation systems in transformers in areas with soft clay that are subject to near-field ground motions can strongly reduce the probability of failure and improve the seismic performance of the transformer.

• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.55-63
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• 2008

This paper presents a seismic analysis technique for a 3D soil-structure interaction system in a frequency domain, based on the finite element formulation incorporating frequency-dependent infinite elements for the far field soil region. Earthquake input motions are regarded as traveling P, SV and SH waves which are incident vertically from the far-field soil region, and then equivalent earthquake forces are calculated using impedances of infinite soil by dynamic infinite elements and traction and displacement from free field response analysis. For verification and application, seismic response analyses are carried out for a multi-layered soil medium without structure and a typical nuclear power plant in consideration of soil-structure interaction. The results are compared with the free field response using a one-dimensional analytic solution, and a dynamic response of an example structure from another SSI package.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.45-57
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• 1987

The dynamic behavior of a structure by earthquake is considerably affected by the flexibility of the base soil. This phenomenon is called dynamic soil-structure interaction effect. There are two broad categories of soil-structure interaction analytical technique: direct method and substructure method. Substructure method, in contrast to direct method, has many limitations in applying to embedded structures or structures on layered soil sites, while it is relatively simple. In this paper, a simplified soil-structure interaction analytical procedure using substructure method is proposed to eliminate its original limitations. The proposed method is well applicable to embedded structures or structures on layered soil sites with as good results as FLUSH.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.293-320
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• 2014

In this study, in order to evaluate adequacy of considering local site effect, excluding soil-structure interaction (SSI) effects in inelastic dynamic analysis and design of mid-rise moment resisting building frames, three structural models including 5, 10, and 15 storey buildings are simulated in conjunction with two soil types with the shear wave velocities less than 600 m/s, representing soil classes $D_e$ and $E_e$ according to the classification of AS1170.4-2007 (Earthquake actions in Australia) having 30 m bedrock depth. Structural sections of the selected frames were designed according to AS3600:2009 (Australian Standard for Concrete Structures) after undertaking inelastic dynamic analysis under the influence of four different earthquake ground motions. Then the above mentioned frames were analysed under three different boundary conditions: (i) fixed base under direct influence of earthquake records; (ii) fixed base considering local site effect modifying the earthquake record only; and (iii) flexible-base (considering full soil-structure interaction). The results of the analyses in terms of base shears and structural drifts for the above mentioned boundary conditions are compared and discussed. It is concluded that the conventional inelastic design procedure by only including the local site effect excluding SSI cannot adequately guarantee the structural safety for mid-rise moment resisting buildings higher than 5 storeys resting on soft soil deposits.

• Coupled systems mechanics
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.293-310
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• 2024

This paper investigates the dynamic response of structures during earthquakes and provides a clear understanding of soil-structure interaction phenomena. It analyses various parameters, comprising ground shear wave velocity and structure properties. The effect of soil impedance function form on the structural response of the system through the use of springs and dashpots with two frequency cases: independent and dependent frequencies. The superstructure and the ground were modeled linearly. Using the substructure method, two different approaches are used in this study. The first is an analytical formulation based on the dynamic equilibrium of the soil-structure system modeled by an analog model with three degrees of freedom. The second is a numerical analysis generated with 2D finite element modeling using ABAQUS software. The superstructure is represented as a SDOF system in all the SSI models assessed. This analysis establishes the key parameters affecting the soil-structure interaction and their effects. The different results obtained from the analysis are compared for each studied case (frequency-independent and frequency-dependent impedance functions). The achieved results confirm the sensitivity of buildings to soil-structure interaction and highlight the various factors and effects, such as soil and structure properties, specifically the shear wave velocity, the height and mass of the structure. Excitation frequency, and the foundation anchoring height, also has a significant impact on the fundamental parameters and the response of the coupled system at the same time. On the other hand, it have been demonstrated that the impedance function forms play a critical role in the accurate evaluation of structural behavior during seismic excitation. As a result, the evaluation of SSI effects on structural response must take into account the dynamic properties of the structure and soil accordingly.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.331-344
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• 2024

The performance of reinforced concrete buildings subjected to earthquake excitations depends on the structural behaviour of the superstructure as well as the type of foundation and the properties of soil on which the structure is founded. The consideration of the effects due to the interaction between the structure and soil- foundation alters the seismic response of reinforced concrete buildings subjected to earthquake motion. Evaluation of the structural response of buildings for quantitative assessment of the seismic fragility has been a demanding problem for the engineers. Present research deals with development of fragility curve for building specific vulnerability assessment based on different damage parameters considering the effect of soil-structure interaction. Incremental Dynamic Analysis of fixed base and flexible base RC building models founded on different soil conditions was conducted using finite element software. Three sets of fragility curves were developed with maximum roof displacement, inter storey drift and plastic energy dissipated as engineering demand parameters. The results indicated an increase in the likelihood of exceeding various damage limits by 10-40% for flexible base condition with soft soil profiles. Fragility curve based on energy dissipated showed a higher probability of exceedance for collapse prevention damage limit whereas for lower damage states, conventional methods showed higher probability of exceedance. With plastic energy dissipated as engineering demand parameter, it is possible to track down the intensity of earthquake at which the plastic deformation starts, thereby providing an accurate vulnerability assessment of the structure. Fragility modification factors that enable the transformation of existing fragility curves to account for Soil-Structure Interaction effects based on different damage measures are proposed for different soil conditions to facilitate a congenial vulnerability assessment for buildings with flexible base conditions.