George Mylonakis

SEISMIC SOIL-STRUCTURE INTERACTION: BENEFICIAL OR DETRIMENTAL?

The role of soil-structure interaction (SSI) in the seismic response of structures is reex-plored using recorded motions and theoretical considerations. Firstly, the way current seismic provisions treat SSI effects is briefly discussed. The idealised design spectra of the codes along with the increased fundamental period and effective damping due to SSI lead invariably to reduced forces in the structure. Reality, however, often differs from this view. It is shown that, in certain seismic and soil environments, an increase in the fundamental natural period of a moderately flexible structure due to SSI may have a detrimental effect on the imposed seismic demand. Secondly, a widely used structural model for assessing SSI effects on inelastic bridge piers is examined. Using theoretical arguments and rigorous numerical analyses it is shown that indiscriminate use of ductility concepts and geometric relations may lead to erroneous conclusions in the assessment of seismic performance. Numerical examples are presented which highlight critical issues of the problem.

SOIL—PILE—BRIDGE SEISMIC INTERACTION: KINEMATIC AND INERTIAL EFFECTS. PART I: SOFT SOIL

SUMMARY A substructuring method has been implemented for the seismic analysis of bridge piers founded on vertical piles and pile groups in multi-layered soil. The method reproduces semi-analytically both the kinematic and inertial soil—structure interaction, in a simple realistic way. Vertical S-wave propagation and the pile-to-pile interplay are treated with suƒcient rigor, within the realm of equivalent-linear soil behaviour, while a variety of support conditions of the bridge deck on the pier can be studied with the method. Analyses are performed in both frequency and time domains, with the excitation specified at the surface of the outcropping (‘elastic’) rock. A parameter study explores the role of soil—structure interaction by elucidating, for typical bridge piers founded on soft soil, the key phenomena and parameters associated with the interplay between seismic excitation, soil profile, pile—foundation, and superstructure. Results illustrate the potential errors from ignoring: (i) the radiation damping generated from the oscillating piles, and (ii) the rotational component of motion at the head of the single pile or the pile-group cap. Results are obtained for accelerations of bridge deck and foundation points, as well as for bending moments along the piles.

The 8 June 2008 Mw6.5 Achaia–Elia, Greece Earthquake: Source Characteristics, Ground Motions, and Ground Failure

The Mw6.4 Achaia–Elia (Greece) earthquake on 8 June 2008 was a right-lateral strike-slip event on a nearly vertical faul. Moment tensor solutions coupled with geologic structure and aftershock distributions suggest a fault strike of approximately 210° on a previously unmapped fault. Rupture appears to have been concentrated over a 10–25 km depth range and did not break the surface. The northern rupture limit appears to correspond to a NW-striking normal fault near the Kato Achaia coastline. The mainshock was recorded by 27 accelerometers at distances from the surface projection of the fault ranging from approximately 15 to 350 km. The data demonstrate faster distance attenuation than predicted by contemporary Greek ground motion prediction equations (GMPEs). On the other hand, an NGA GMPE generally captures the distance attenuation but shows underprediction bias at short and long periods. Despite the presence of a range of site conditions at recording stations in the city of Patras, we find no obvious effect of sediment depth on response spectra. We show the possible presence of rupture directivity at the north end of this bilateral rupture, but no apparent effect at the southern end. We described several relatively well-documented incidents of nonground failure and ground failure associated with liquefaction/lateral spreading and landslides.

Kinematic Framework for Evaluating Seismic Earth Pressures on Retaining Walls

AbstractDuring earthquake ground shaking earth pressures on retaining structures can cyclically increase and decrease as a result of inertial forces applied to the walls and kinematic interactions between the stiff wall elements and surrounding soil. The application, based on limit equilibrium analysis, of a pseudostatic inertial force to a soil wedge behind the wall [the mechanism behind the widely-used Mononobe–Okabe (M–O) method] is a poor analogy for either inertial or kinematic wall–soil interaction. This paper demonstrates that the kinematic component of interaction varies strongly with the ratio of wavelength to wall height (λ/H), asymptotically approaching zero for large λ/H, and oscillating between the peak value and zero for λ/H<2.3. Base compliance, represented in the form of translational and rotational stiffness, reduces seismic earth pressure by permitting the walls to conform more closely to the free-field soil displacement profile. This framework can explain both relatively low seismic pre...

Numerical analysis of kinematic soil—pile interaction

In the present study, the response of singles pile to kinematic seismic loading is investigated using the computer program SAP2000@. The objectives of the study are: (1) to develop a numerical model that can realistically simulate kinematic soil‐structure interaction for piles accounting for discontinuity conditions at the pile‐soil interface, energy dissipation and wave propagation; (2) to use the model for evaluating kinematic interaction effects on pile response as function of input ground motion; and (3) to present a case study in which theoretical predictions are compared with results obtained from other formulations. To evaluate the effects of kinematic loading, the responses of both the free‐field soil (with no piles) and the pile were compared. Time history and static pushover analyses were conducted to estimate the displacement and kinematic pile bending under seismic loadings.

Complex Response of a Rocking Block to a Full-Cycle Pulse

AbstractThe rocking response of rigid, free-standing bodies to earthquake pulses is revisited. A two-dimensional rectangular block resting on a rigid base is considered, subjected to an idealized ground acceleration pulse composed of two constant half-cycles of equal amplitude, equal duration, and opposite sign. Closed-form expressions are obtained for the dynamic response, whereas rigorous overturning criteria are established for conditions with and without impact. The solutions are expressed in terms of three dimensionless parameters, namely, pulse duration, uplift strength, and restitution coefficient. Despite the apparent simplicity of the problem, the response can exhibit complex—even counterintuitive—patterns, a trait attributed to the possibility of overturning in two distinct modes (forward and backward), the nonlinear nature of the impact, the real-valued (positive) pole of the differential operator, and the presence of multiple immobility points in a particular response branch. The bifurcation b...

Simple wave solution for seismic earth pressures on nonyielding walls

AbstractDesign of retaining walls for earthquake action is traditionally performed by limit analysis procedures—notably the classical solution of Mononobe-Okabe and its variants. Fundamental assumptions of these methods are (1) the static nature of seismic excitation, (2) the compliance in sliding and/or rocking of the base of the wall, (3) the shear failure of the backfill and the soil-wall interface, and (4) the prespecified point of application of soil thrust. Given the restrictive nature of these assumptions, alternative solutions based on wave-propagation theory have been developed that do not require failure of the backfill and thereby are applicable to nonyielding walls. Because of the complex mathematics involved, the use of these solutions in practice appears to be limited. A special integration technique inspired from the seminal work of Vlasov and Leontiev is presented, which simplifies the analysis by providing closed-form solutions suitable for practical use.

Effects of Ground Failure on Buildings, Ports, and Industrial Facilities

Soil liquefaction occurred at many sites during the 2010 Maule, Chile, earthquake, often leading to ground failure and lateral spreading. Of particular interest are the effects of liquefaction on built infrastructure. Several buildings were damaged significantly due to foundation movements resulting from liquefaction. Liquefaction-induced ground failure also displaced and distorted waterfront structures, which adversely impacted the operation of some of Chiles key port facilities. Important case histories that document the effects of ground failure on buildings, ports, and industrial facilities are presented in this paper.

Site Effects and Damage Patterns

A set of observations on site effects and damage patterns from the Mw 8.8 Maule, Chile, earthquake is presented, focusing on identification of structural damage variability associated with nonuniform soil conditions and subsurface geology. Observations are reported from: (1) the City of Santiago de Chile (Américo Vespucio Norte Ring Highway, Ciudad Empresarial business park), (2) the Municipality of Viña del Mar, and (3) the City of Concepción, extending over 600 km along the Chilean coast. Reconnaissance information and ground motion recordings from the megathrust event are combined with site investigation data in the regions of interest. Comparisons against macroseismic observations related to uneven damage distribution from the Mw 8.0 1985 Valparaíso earthquake are discussed. Complexities associated with identifying the mechanics and underlying physical processes responsible for the manifestation of these effects are elucidated.

Rigid Block Sliding to Idealized Acceleration Pulses

AbstractNew analytical solutions are derived for the frictional sliding of rigid blocks to idealized ground acceleration pulses. These excitations are indicative of near-fault earthquake motions affected by forward fault-rupture directivity, which may inflict large permanent displacements in the absence of substantial frictional resistance at the sliding interface. The scope of this study is threefold: (1) to derive analytical solutions for a wide set of idealized pulses; (2) to investigate the effects of symmetric and asymmetric sliding under both unilateral and bilateral excitation conditions; and (3) to explore alternative normalization schemes of peak sliding with reference to peak pulse acceleration, velocity, duration, and shape. A generalized exponential function, capable of simulating an infinite number of pulse waveforms based on a single parameter, is employed to this end. Results are presented in the form of dimensionless closed-form expressions and graphs that provide insight into the physics ...