Numerical simulation and absorbing boundary conditions for wave propagation in a semi-infinite media with a linear isotropic hardening plastic model

Abstract

Abstract The theory of plastic wave propagation finds its applications in many geotechnical earthquake engineering problems. In this paper, a linear isotropic hardening plastic material is chosen to investigate the plastic wave propagation in a semi-infinite media. The dynamic response of a semi-infinite bar subjected to a triangular load is first derived. The numerical modelling scheme is then proposed and verified by the existing and derived analytical solutions. Novel artificial boundary conditions (ABCs), which are designed for transient dynamic analysis of plastic dilatational wave propagation problem in the media with a linear hardening plastic property, are developed and incorporated into the numerical scheme. Numerical examples illustrate the accuracy of the ABCs in reflecting the complex phenomenon of wave interaction, and reveal good absorption of outgoing stress waves. The study outcome provides reference for developing suitable ABCs for media with complicated nonlinear mechanical properties, and will facilitate the numerical technique in solving soil-structure seismic interaction problems.