A Coupled Finite-Boundary Element Method for Efficient Dynamic Structure-Soil-Structure Interaction Modeling

Abstract

This paper introduces an innovative approach to numerically model Structure–Soil-Structure Interaction (SSSI) by integrating the Boundary Element Method (BEM) and the Finite Element Method (FEM) in a coupled manner. To assess the accuracy of the proposed method, a comparative study is undertaken, comparing its outcomes with those generated by the conventional FEM technique. Alongside accuracy, the computational efficiency aspect is crucial for the analysis of large-scale SSSI problems. Hence, the computational performance of the coupled BEM–FEM method undergoes a thorough examination and is compared with that of the standalone FEM method. The results from these comparisons illustrate the superior capabilities of the proposed method in comparison to the FEM method. The novel approach provides more reliable results compared to traditional FEM methods, serving as a valuable tool for engineers and researchers involved in structural analysis and design.

The Influence of Soil Deformability on the Seismic Response of 3D Mixed R/C–Steel Buildings

“…The soil deformability consequence is assessed employing a "discrete" system of "spring-dashpot-mass" [51] elements, with calculated values specified by Mulliken and Karabalis [51] using the relative calculation formulations providing the required mass, stiffness, and damping coefficients, as shown in Table 2 for reading convenience. In the worldwide literature [25][26][27][28][29], more complicated SSI models can be found, which may need time-consuming and complicated calculations and emphasize soil dynamic behavior. Here, attention is drawn to the nonlinear seismic response of the mixed model perspective with the impact of soil deformability in comparison to the rigid soil assumption.…”

“…The dynamic "Soil-Structure Interaction (SSI)" [3] is widely identified to be critical in the response of special structures such as bridges [21,22], silos [23], and base-isolated structures [24] and, correspondingly, necessary to consider in their design [3]. Even more complex SSI models are accessible in research works, e.g., [25][26][27], that focus mainly on soil behavior [28,29]; however, they are not discussed here as they are not relevant to the aim of this work. Moreover, research works on usual structures have highlighted a significant impact of the deformability of the ground on the response of usual r/c constructions, as exemplified by [30][31][32][33][34][35][36].…”