Valério Silva Almeida

Static analysis of soil/pile interaction in layered soil by BEM/BEM coupling

In this article we propose to use the boundary element method (BEM) to analyze soil-foundation interactions. The soil structure is modeled as several dissimilar strata placed one on top of the other, composing a sandwich-like profile. Any of these layers may contain components of the foundations. Each region occupied by a soil layer or by a foundation component is handled as a 3D isotropic, elastic and homogeneous domain, and is analyzed by BEM. As a consequence of the positioning of the various subregions in this model, the technique of successive rigidity can be applied directly, resulting in a considerable reduction in the volume of data being stored and manipulated throughout the analysis.

Influence surfaces by boundary element/least square methods coupling

AbstractThis work presents a new application for calculating the influence surfaces of transverse displacements, directional derivatives and bending moments for generic bridge decks. A plate bending boundary element method formulation is coupled with the application of a continuous field surface derived by the least square procedure. This original BE formulation permits calculating influence surfaces of plates with polygonal, curved or circular geometry, and several transverse load conditions. The proposal allows future analysis of building floors and single and continuous bridge trusses connected to longitudinal and transversal girders. Numerical examples are presented to demonstrate the potential of the present formulation and the results are compared with analytical values and with usual vehicular loads.

Uma técnica alternativa para analisar o problema da interação solo estratificado-fundaçãosuperestrutura via acoplamento MEC-MEF

A analise do comportamento mecânico do complexo sistema advindo da interacao entre solo/subestrutura/superestrutura e o tema deste artigo. A representacao do solo e feita usando-se o Metodo dos Elementos de Contorno (MEC) 3D, de modo a simular um macico estratificado. Considera-se tambem uma superficie indeslocavel a uma distância prescrita a priori. A subestrutura tambem e representada pelo MEC 3D. A infra e a superestrutura sao modeladas empregando-se o procedimento convencional dos Metodos dos Elementos Finitos (MEF), com o uso de elementos estruturais reticulares e laminares. Sao apresentados alguns exemplos que demonstram que a analise integrada do sistema solo/estrutura e imprescindivel para uma melhor compreensao de seu comportamento em conjunto.