Improved Approach for Modeling Nonlinear Site Response of Highly Strained Soils: Case Study of the Service Hall Array in Japan

2016 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 1055-1074 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ramin Motamed ◽  
Kevin Stanton ◽  
Ibrahim Almufti ◽  
Kirk Ellison ◽  
Michael Willford

A nonlinear ground response analysis is conducted for the Niigata-ken Chuetsu-oki earthquake recorded at a free-field vertical array near the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant in Japan. A bidirectional site response analysis is carried out using LS-DYNA which allows user defined stress-strain relationships to dictate soil behavior subjected to dynamic loading. Dynamic soil behavior is characterized using a two-stage hyperbolic backbone curve implemented with modifications to consider the peak strength of soil layers as well as the strain at which the peak strength is fully mobilized. The effects of bidirectional input motions, strain rate, and the shape of the shear modulus degradation curves are investigated, and it is demonstrated that each factor can have a significant influence on the results.

Author(s):  
Zsolt Szilvagyi ◽  
Richard P. Ray

This study focuses on the back analysis of a geotechnical laboratory test with nonlinear finite element modeling using the Ramberg-Osgood material model. This model has been used by several authors recently for nonlinear ground response analysis and it has been implemented by Midas into their commercial finite element code Midas GTS NX 2014. The verification of the model for 1D nonlinear site response analysis can be found in the documentation of the software package. In this study, Torsional Simple Shear tests were modeled and a comprehensive study was performed to provide verification of the material model for static torsional loading and axisymmetric conditions.


Author(s):  
Mauro Aimar ◽  
Sebastiano Foti

ABSTRACT The possible amplification of seismic waves in soil deposits is crucial for the seismic design of buildings and geotechnical systems. The most common approaches for the numerical simulation of seismic site response are the equivalent linear (EQL) and the nonlinear (NL). Even though their advantages and limitations have been investigated in several studies, the relative field of applicability is still under debate. This study tested both methods over a wide population of soil models, which were subjected to a set of acceleration time histories recorded from strong earthquakes. A thorough comparison of the results of the EQL and the NL approaches was carried out, to identify the conditions in which the relative differences are significant. This assessment allowed for the definition of simplified criteria to predict when the two schemes are or are not compatible for large expected shaking levels. The proposed criteria are based on simple and intuitive parameters describing the soil deposit and the ground-motion parameters, which can be predicted straightforwardly. Therefore, this study provides a scheme for the choice between the EQL and the NL approaches that can be used even at the preliminary design stages. It appears that the EQL approach provides reliable amplification estimates in soil deposits with thickness up to 30 m, except for very deformable soils, but this depth range may be extended at long vibration periods. This result reveals a good level of reliability of the EQL approach for various soil conditions encountered in common applications, even for high-intensity shaking.


2011 ◽  
Vol 255-260 ◽  
pp. 2365-2369
Author(s):  
Emad Gheibi ◽  
Mohammad Hosein Bagheripour

The concept of equivalent number of uniform stress cycles, is essential for assessment of soil liquefaction potential. In this regard, various procedures are used to convert random acceleration time history to uniform cycles having amplitude of 0.65 of peak acceleration. Equivalent number of cycles (Neq) defines equivalent energy generated by harmonic loading as that imposed by irregular motion during an earthquake. Neq is assumed to be a function of earthquake magnitude. Over the past years, in accordance with development in methods of soil liquefaction evaluation, various methods have been proposed to determinate equivalent number of cycles. In particular, parameters like site to source distance (r), have been related directly to Neq. In this study, more than 80 earthquake records have been investigated and their Neqs are assessed using energy approach and nonlinear site response analysis. It is shown that equivalent number of cycles is related to earthquake magnitude (M), r and depth of originated signals. Unlike previous methods which result in scatter in output data, current approach has led to more uniform and consistent results for each earthquake.


2013 ◽  
Vol 29 (1_suppl) ◽  
pp. 37-54 ◽  
Author(s):  
Byungmin Kim ◽  
Youssef M.A. Hashash

Downhole arrays provide enhanced understanding of dynamic soil behavior and site response. Historically, downhole array recordings have been available only for earthquakes with relatively limited durations. New recordings from a number of KiK-net downhole arrays during the 11 March 2011, Mw 9.0, subduction zone earthquake near the east coast of Honshu, Japan, allow us to investigate dynamic soil characteristics and site response due to long-duration subduction zone earthquakes. Using these recordings, we perform one-dimensional site response analyses to evaluate the applicability of commonly used analysis approaches under long-duration earthquakes. We find that site response analyses capture key features of measured surface response spectra particularly at soft rock/stiff soil sites subject to long-duration motion. However, at softer soil sites, it appears that the modulus reduction is overestimated and site-specific characterization is needed.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
gaetano falcone ◽  
giuseppe naso ◽  
stefania fabozzi ◽  
federico mori ◽  
massimiliano moscatelli ◽  
...  

<p>When an earthquake occurs, the propagation of the seismic waves is conditioned by local conditions, e.g., depth to seismic bedrock and impedance ratio between soft soil and seismic bedrock. Bearing in mind that the maximum depth of site prospections generally does not extend up to seismic bedrock depth, a parametric study was carried out with reference to ideal case studies in order to investigate the effect on local seismic amplification of the depth to bedrock.</p><p>The results are presented in terms of charts of amplification factors (i.e., ratio of integral quantities referred to free-field and reference response spectra) and minimum depth to investigate vs building type. These charts will allow defining the thickness of the cover deposit that should be characterised in terms of geophysical and geotechnical parameters in order to perform seismic site response analysis according to a precautionary approach, in areas where depth to seismic bedrock is higher than conventional maximum depth of site surveys.</p>


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