Liquefaction analysis of sandy soil during strong earthquake in Northern Thailand

Northern Thailand has experienced several earthquakes which led to soil liquefaction in the past few decades. Traditional methods of evaluating liquefaction potential involve standard penetration test (SPT) or cone penetration tests. This research augmented experimental results with numerical methods to evaluate the liquefaction potential of Mae Lao Sand in Chiang Rai province of northern Thailand. SPT and downhole seismic test data collected during a field investigation at the Mae Lao site were compared to a 1D site response model analysis of the site. A series of undrained monotonic and cyclic triaxial tests was conducted on Mae Lao Sand specimens with different initial void ratios and confining pressures. Cyclic triaxial test results with varying deviator stress amplitudes were used to draw liquefaction resistance curves. Results from numerical simulation of sand liquefaction were used to characterise the stress–strain-pore water pressure response of Mae Lao Sand. 1D site response analysis determined seismic responses with different geological and groundwater conditions. All put together, the results showed that pore water pressure ratio decreases with increasing sand stiffness, the thickness of a soil layer significantly increases its liquefaction potential, and in-situ conditions and groundwater depths have major influences on the liquefaction potential of sand layers.     

Liquefaction resistance of fibre-reinforced silty sands under cyclic loading

Whether the so-called double porosity in soils with a loose and natural packing state is a concept with real-world implications is a fundamental yet controversial question in the study of cyclic undrained shear behaviour of fibre-reinforced silty sands. An attempt is made here to clarify the question by means of particle-level modelling combined with 41 undrained cyclic triaxial shear tests. The study shows that the initial Random Loose Packing changes to Random Close Packing and then Close Packing with silt content increments. The transition from random to close packing occurs at a threshold silt content which is relatively lower in coarser sands. For sands with <40% silt content, the rate of pore pressure growth with loading-unloading cycles increase with silt content increment. Reverse trend applies to silty sands with >40% silt content. Irrespective of fine content, fibres tend to sit deep into the silt pellets and encrust the macro-pore spaces. Generally, increasing fibre content leads to an increase in the average number of contacts per particle, dilation and easier dissipation of excess pore water pressure, a decrease in contact forces and improved liquefaction resistance. For sands with >40% silt content, effectiveness of fibre reinforcement diminishes with increasing sand median size.     

Liquefaction behavior of fiber-reinforced calcareous sands in unidirectional and multidirectional simple shear tests

A study on the liquefaction resistance of calcareous sands reinforced with polypropylene fibers was reported. Stress-controlled cyclic simple shear tests were conducted on specimens prepared at a relative density of 50%, with and without fiber reinforcements. The liquefaction behavior was investigated by considering the effects of fiber contents ranging from 0% to 1%, fiber lengths varying from 3 mm to 12 mm and loading patterns. The results indicated that increasing fiber content and fiber length resulted in a decrease in the deformation, a reduction in pore pressure accumulation rate, and improved the liquefaction resistance of calcareous sands. Additionally, the risk of soil liquefaction could be significantly reduced when the fiber content was greater than 0.8%. The multidirectional loading had a considerable effect in reducing the liquefaction resistance compared to unidirectional loading. Further, the stiffness degradation of calcareous sands decreased with increasing fiber content and fiber length. The pore pressure generated in the cyclic tests was analyzed and was found to be affected by fiber content. A pore pressure prediction model was proposed to obtain the pore pressure characteristics of fiber-reinforced calcareous sands under various fiber content conditions.     

Nonlinear sloshing response of cylindrical tanks subjected to earthquake ground motion

A numerical method is proposed for the seismic response analysis of cylindrical tanks accounting for nonlinear hydrodynamic effects. The equations of motion are transformed from the physical domain into a well-defined computational domain by means of a change of variable such that there is no need to remap the computational domain at each time step as the computation of the response progresses in time. The numerical solution is then obtained using finite differences in cylindrical coordinates. The numerical formulation is applied to study the response of cylindrical tanks subjected to ground motion records from the Mexico earthquake of September 19, 1985. The response is studied in terms of wave height on the liquid surface, and shear force and overturning moment at the base wall, and compared against the linear solution. The case of resonance under harmonic excitation is also analysed and discussed. Implications on considering nonlinear hydrodynamic effects are drawn for design purposes.     

Influence of deep excavation induced ground movements on adjacent piles

In urban areas, excavations for cut-and-cover tunnels and basement construction cause detrimental effects on adjacent existing piles. Hence quantifying the excavation induced lateral deformations and bending moments on piles are important to ensure the stability of structures. In this paper, behaviour of a single pile subjected to excavation induced ground movements is analysed using the finite element method, which has the ability to simulate the construction sequence comprising soil excavation, deformations due to dewatering within the excavation and installation of struts. A fully coupled analysis is carried out based on the effective stress principle. The numerical model was verified using the centrifuge test data found in the literature. A parametric study was carried out to establish the excavation induced pile behaviour varying the depth of the excavation, soil properties, wall support system, pile fixity conditions and pile location with respect to the excavation. Increasing axial load does not have a significant influence on the pile behaviour. However, pile head fixity condition, and stiffness and spacing of the wall support system have a significant influence on the pile behaviour adjacent to the excavation. Finally, based on the parametric study, a set of design charts are developed to predict the pile behaviour by taking into account the depth of excavation, undrained shear strength, width of the pile, spring stiffness, spacing of vertical supports, and unsupported depth of the excavation. The capability of the proposed design charts are demonstrated using a three-dimensional finite element analysis, a case study from the literature and a previously published simplified analysis procedure.     

框架式地铁车站结构大地震近场地震反应特性的三维精细化非线性分析

基于 ABAQUS 软件的 32CPU 显式有限元并行计算集群平台,建立了深软地基土–框架式地铁地下车站结构体系三维精细化非线性地震反应分析的有限元模型,数值模拟了汶川大地震清平波、卧龙波和 100 a 超越概率 3% 的南京人工地震波作用下深软地基上三层三跨框架式地铁地下车站结构地震反应特性的差异。结果表明：大地震近场强地震动将对深软地基上地下车站结构造成严重损伤,甚至发生塑性破坏或坍塌,柱、楼板、侧墙的结合部位是抗震的不利位置,中柱为抗震最薄弱构件,输入近场地震动的峰值加速度和频谱特性对地下车站结构的地震反应均有很大影响;地下车站结构的地震反应具有明显的空间效应,且在大地震近场强地震动作用下地下结构会产生单向累积的永久位移;清平波、卧龙波作用下地下车站结构的地震反应远大于 100 a 超越概率 3% 的南京人工地震波作用下的地震反应;结构浅埋部分的地震损伤比深埋部分更大。     

强震下BRBF结构弹塑性静力分析

为考察BRBF结构的层间位移与层剪力的对应关系及塑性铰分布情况,文中以BRBF为研究对象,以屈曲约束支撑的水平力分担率β以及框架强度CB等主要研究参数建立6个模型,通过二阶非线性计算程序,对模型进行弹塑性静力分析。结果表明:屈曲约束支撑的水平力分担率30%～60%的模型的层间变形中低层集中,屈曲约束支撑的水平力分担率90%的模型的层间变形低层集中;模型的层间集中变形以及塑性铰分布情况不受框架强度影响。     

Modified method for predicting lateral displacement of PVD-improved ground under combined vacuum and surcharge loading

A modified method is proposed to predict the lateral displacement (δ) of prefabricated vertical drains (PVDs) improved ground under combined vacuum and surcharge loads, which is derived based on a few modified triaxial tests and a series of finite element analyses of PVD unit cells. It is observed that reducing the surcharge load (p_s) and loading rate (LR) and increasing the vacuum pressure (p_v), pre-vacuum consolidation period (t_v), and initial undrained shear strength (s_u0) could be effective in controlling the outward δ. Variations of the effective stress ratio (K_e) that controlling the δ with p_s, p_v, LR, t_v, and s_u0 are then presented. A synthetic relationship between the normalized horizontal strain (ε_h) by a reference one-dimensional vertical strain (ε_v1) and the normalized K_e by the at-rest earth pressure coefficient (K₀) is proposed for cases with and without t_v. Further, a modified index parameter (β₁) is introduced for quantitatively considering the effect of p_s, p_v, LR, t_v, s_u0, and consolidation properties of the soil, a relationship between K_e and β₁ is then established for evaluating the value of K_e. Combinations of the ε_h/ε_v1–K_e/K₀ and K_e–β₁ relationships enable modified predictions of the δ from basic preloading conditions and soil parameters.     

建筑结构弹塑性时程分析中地震动记录选取方法的比较研究

选择合适的地震动记录是采用弹塑性时程分析预测建筑结构地震响应的基础。列举了现有针对不同分析目的的三种地震动记录选取方法,比较了按不同方法建立的地震动记录选择集的地面运动峰值和反应谱特性,并通过分析两个不同初始周期框架结构的弹塑性地震响应,对不同地震动记录选取方法的分析结果进行了比较。研究结果表明,基于设计反应谱和基于最不利地震动的选取方法均与结构的初始周期相关,当结构在地震作用下刚度退化比较明显时,这些方法有可能难以达到预期的目标;而当地震动强度指标恰当、且选取的地震动记录数量较多时,基于台站和地震信息的选取方法不会造成过大的结构弹塑性地震响应的离散性,同时这种方法不依赖于结构的动力特性,操作简便,适用性强,适于在研究不同结构类型和不同动力特性建筑结构的抗震性能时应用。     

强震作用下竖向不规则RC框架结构抗震易损性分析

研究速度脉冲强震作用下竖向不规则钢筋混凝土框架结构的抗震易损性。以5层和10层底层竖向不规则框架结构为分析对象,考虑地震动输入的不确定性,通过非线性动力时程分析获得结构底层最大层间位移响应,并通过曲线拟合建立最大层间位移与基本自振周期对应的谱加速度函数关系;假定最大层间位移和极限性能目标位移取对数正态分布的平均值,建立能有效评估结构竖向不规则极限控制参数的易损性曲线。分析结果表明：速度脉冲强震作用下,楼层承载力和刚度突变对结构层间位移有较大影响,底层竖向不规则程度越大最大层间位移亦随之增大,而中间层最大层间位移则减小;地震动强度越大,最大层间位移离散性越大;楼层承载力和刚度突变对抗震易损性曲线的影响较大,楼层数不同结构易损性曲线趋势不同。     

近场脉冲型地震作用下黏滞阻尼器对双柱#br# 摇摆桥墩减震作用研究

为研究黏滞阻尼器对双柱摇摆桥墩在近场脉冲型地震作用下的减震作用,基于摇摆刚体假定和拉格朗日方程,对采用黏滞阻尼器的双柱摇摆桥墩进行实例分析、参数分析和抗倒塌能力分析。研究结果表明：黏滞阻尼器可减小双柱摇摆桥墩的地震位移反应,且作为速度型阻尼器,其在近场脉冲型地震作用下的减震效果比远场地震更为显著;在近场脉冲型地震作用下,随着黏滞阻尼器的无量纲阻尼常数(λ)的增大和阻尼指数(n_v)的减小,桥墩位移反应随之变小,当阻尼器失效位移大于120mm时桥墩峰值位移反应无显著变化;黏滞阻尼器的减震作用可有效提高双柱摇摆桥墩在近场脉冲型地震作用下的抗倒塌能力,λ越大和n_v越小,桥墩的抗倒塌能力越强。     

Numerical assessment of the seismic response of an earth embankment on liquefiable soils

This study presents a numerical assessment of the seismic behaviour of an earth embankment founded on liquefiable foundation soils during earthquake loading. Analysis was carried out using an effective stress-based, fully coupled, finite element method. The behaviour of the sandy soil is described by means of a cyclic elastoplastic constitutive model which was developed within the framework of the Armstrong–Frederick type non-linear kinematic hardening concept. The numerical method and the analysis procedure are briefly outlined and as an example, the seismic response of an earth embankment on a saturated sand foundation is assessed. Based on the numerical results, the distinctive patterns of seismic response of the embankment are discussed. Special emphasis is given to the computed results of excess pore water pressures, co-seismic and post-seismic deformations, and accelerations during the seismic excitation. It has been found that the numerical model can capture fundamental liquefaction aspects of the embankment foundation system and produce preliminary results for its seismic assessment.      

Effects of soil–structure cluster interactions on ground motions

The effects of soil–structure cluster interaction (SSCI) on ground motion are presented through shaking table tests and parametric numerical simulation using the finite element method. The superstructure is simplified as a concrete column at a 1/20 scale, with a total mass of 60 kg installed on top of the structures. The Davidenkov foundation model is used to simulate soil nonlinearity. The results of the shaking table test are then compared with the results of the numerical simulation. It is found that the spectral amplification and fundamental resonance frequency are reduced because of the SSCI effects. Further, the structure amount, spacing, height, and distribution play a significant role in the SSCI effects on the ground motion. It is also inferred that having more structures, less spacing, and higher structures may result in a reduction in the acceleration response.     

Liquefaction in the Kanto region during the 2011 off the pacific coast of Tohoku earthquake

The present text is a summary of liquefaction events that occurred in the Kanto Region during the 2011 off the Pacific coast of Tohoku Earthquake, excluding those events in the Tokyo Bay area that are discussed elsewhere. Most liquefaction occurred in the abandoned river channels and former lakes that had been recently filled with liquefiable soils. Noteworthy was the damage to private housing lands and river dikes that had not been well treated against liquefaction risk. Many sites experienced repeated liquefaction after former earthquakes in 1923 or 1987, if they existed in those times. In contrast to the recent liquefaction-prone soils, more-aged sands scarcely liquefied because of what is called the “ageing” effect. The present study analyzed cases in Tokyo area to quantitatively assess the temporal development of ageing so that liquefaction risk in more aged soils might be reasonably assessed. In the appendix, remarks are made of the reliability of air-photo survey in quick detection of liquefaction sites.     

强震下钢框架动力时程分析模型应用对比分析

为比较几种有限元模型计算钢框架动力时程分析的精度以及效率,采用通用有限元软件ABAQUS,分别建立壳单元模型、多尺度模型、考虑损伤退化的纤维梁模型以及不考虑损伤退化的传统两折线模型,比较几种模型在计算结构变形、结构破坏形态等方面的特征,检验等效本构模型的计算精度,深入探讨考虑损伤退化对钢框架抗震性能的影响。同时,对比几种模型的计算效率,考察等效本构模型的改良作用。研究结果表明:在一开始损伤退化没有出现的时候,四种模型的计算结果基本一致。一旦由于塑性应变累积导致损伤退化的发生,考虑损伤退化的纤维模型、壳单元模型和多尺度模型的计算结果吻合良好,说明等效本构模型能够反映结构出现损伤对结构变形的放大作用。而没有考虑损伤退化的两折线杆系模型与三者的计算结果差别较大,计算得到的变形结果偏小,低估了结构的层间位移角和层位移,导致计算结果偏于不安全。计算效率上,等效本构模型的计算时间远小于壳单元模型和多尺度模型,比两折线模型略高,实现计算精度和计算效率的平衡。     

RC框架基于典型相关分析的地震动多元破坏势评估

为了更加全面地评估地震动对结构的潜在破坏势,考虑多个地震动强度参数和多个结构损伤参数对地震动破坏势的影响,提出一种基于典型相关分析的地震动多元破坏势评估方法。为说明所提方法,以具有不同高度和不同抗震设防水平的16个钢筋混凝土框架结构为研究对象,采用100条真实地震动记录作为地震输入。将与地震动加速度、速度和位移相关的8个地震动强度参数进行对数线性组合,构造成地震动多元强度参数的典型变量。将结构最大层间位移角、整体损伤指数、最大楼层加速度进行对数线性组合,构造成结构多元损伤参数的典型变量。通过使地震动强度参数的典型变量和结构损伤参数的典型变量的相关系数达到最大,获得可以较好评估地震动破坏势的复合地震动参数。研究结果表明：相比于单一地震动参数,复合地震动参数可以更好地评估地震动的破坏势,其与结构损伤的相关性也更强。     

Finite element analysis of precast hybrid-steel concrete connections under cyclic loading

In this paper, a nonlinear finite element (FE) analysis of hybrid-steel concrete connections is presented. The detailed experimental results of the four full-scale hybrid-steel concrete connections with limited seismic detailing have been discussed in a different paper. However, due to the inherent complexity of beam-column joints and the unique features of the tested specimens, the experimental study was not comprehensive enough. Therefore, in this paper, an analytical investigation based on the FE models and using the DIANA software is presented. The FE models were validated using the experimental results of the hybrid-steel concrete connections tested in Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. The critical parameters influencing the joint’s behaviour, such as the axial load on column, the connection plate thickness, and the continuation of beam bottom reinforcement, are varied, and their effects, especially implications on code specifications, are studied.     

强震作用下超高层建筑动力响应的分析

采用大型有限元软件ANSYS对阜矿高层框架—剪力墙结构建模,通过对模型输入天津波,对高层结构在地震荷载作用下结构各层的变形情况和各层结构之间的变形量进行动力学分析。结果表明:高层框架—剪力墙结构,剪力墙对于中底部侧向位移有很大的限制作用,较上部结构对侧向位移限制能力强。     

Nonlinear response and reliability analysis of tunnels under strong earthquakes

The damages of tunnels under earthquakes showed that soil–rock deposits around a tunnel have significant effects on its response to earthquake excitations, caused by the spatial variability and correlation of the soil properties, which may properly be modelled as a random field. This paper studied these effects through modelling the surrounding soil as a random field on the response of a tunnel and made some comparisons with the corresponding deterministic analysis. A two-dimensional finite element model of the tunnel-soil system was examined, and the corresponding random field was simulated by the spectral representation method. The results revealed that the corners of the tunnel are the critical locations for the axial force and bending moment. The comparisons showed that the results of the deterministic analysis usually yield higher results than the corresponding random field results. The reliabilities of a tunnel for two limit-state functions were considered: one is defined as exceeding the design limit according to the Chinese design code, whereas the other is exceeding the ultimate strength of the reinforced concrete tunnel lining. The equivalent extreme events were formulated for the respective limit-state functions, from which the tunnel system reliability can be evaluated. The probability density evolution method was used to calculate the stochastic response and reliability of the tunnel under a strong earthquake.     

浅谈强震区单层工业厂房的动力特性分析问题

对轻钢厂结构的单跨和整体结构进行了动力特性计算分析,结果表明,平面外刚度对动力特性的影响非常显著,在空间结构模型分析中,吊车质量对结构的影响并不比平面单跨情况下明显.