No abstract

SUMMARYA method of interpolation of the boundary variables that uses spline functions associated with singular elements is presented. This method can be used in boundary element method analysis of 2-D problems that have points where the boundary variables present singular behaviour. Singular-ended splines based on cubic splines and Overhauser splines are developed. The former provides C 2 -continuity and the latter C 1 -continuity across element edges. The potentialities of the methodology are demonstrated analysing the dynamic response of a 2-D rigid footing interacting with a half-space. It is shown that, for a given number of elements at the soil-foundation interface, the singular-ended spline interpolation increases substantially the displacement convergence rate and delivers smoother traction distributions.

This paper discusses the use of three analytical models for the SCR-soil interaction analysis. Analytical derivations for Winkler, Pasternak and Kerr models are presented. The effects of the adopted model on displacements and stresses near the riser touchdown point are addressed. Comparisons with the results from a continuous soil model calculated with finite elements are also presented. In the regions with large displacement gradients, the Kerr model, which considers the influence of the elasticity from neighboring area, presents the best agreement with the 3D Finite Element model.

No abstract

No abstract