Linear and nonlinear soil-structure interaction analysis of buildings and safety-related nuclear structures. Issue 107 (April 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bolisetti, Chandrakanth; Whittaker, Andrew S.; Coleman, Justin L.
• Is Part Of: Soil dynamics and earthquake engineering. Issue 107(2018)
• Page Start: 218
• Page End: 233
• Publication Date: 2018-04
• Subjects: Soil-structure interaction -- Nonlinear soil-structure interaction analysis -- Earthquake engineering -- Finite-element analysis; Soil dynamics -- Periodicals; Earthquake engineering -- Periodicals; Sols -- Dynamique -- Périodiques; Génie parasismique -- Périodiques; 624.176205
• DOI: 10.1016/j.soildyn.2018.01.026
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0267-7261

Abstract

Abstract: Soil-structure interaction (SSI) analysis is generally a required step in the calculation of seismic demands in nuclear structures, and is currently performed using linear methods in the frequency domain. Such methods should result in accurate predictions of response for low-intensity shaking, but their adequacy for extreme shaking that results in highly nonlinear soil, structure or foundation response is unproven. Nonlinear (time-domain) SSI analysis can be employed for these cases, but is rarely performed due to a lack of experience on the part of analysts, engineers and regulators. A nonlinear, time-domain SSI analysis procedure using a commercial finite-element code is described in the paper. It is benchmarked against the frequency-domain code, SASSI, for linear SSI analysis and low intensity earthquake shaking. Nonlinear analysis using the time-domain finite-element code, LS-DYNA, is described and results are compared with those from equivalent-linear analysis in SASSI for high intensity shaking. The equivalent-linear and nonlinear responses are significantly different. For intense shaking, the nonlinear effects, including gapping, sliding and uplift, are greatest in the immediate vicinity of the soil-structure boundary, and these cannot be captured using equivalent-linear techniques. Highlights: Described a method of performing time-domain nonlinear SSI analysis. Benchmarked this method against the established frequency-domain code, SASSI. Performed fully nonlinear SSI analyses of two buildings using LS-DYNA. Compared LS-DYNA results to those calculated using SASSI. Observed significant differences for cases with highly nonlinear behavior.