Analysis of the Dynamic Behavior of Multi-Layered Soil Grounds

Abstract

The ground consists of many layers of soil with different properties. The propagation speed and path of seismic waves are affected by different soil layers. It is necessary to understand that layered soil exhibits different dynamic behaviors and responses under the action of seismic waves. This study utilized weathered soil and silica sand as materials to create multi-layered soil conditions with varying degrees of compaction. By conducting a 1 g shaking-table test on multi-layered soil, the interactions and influences between different soil layers under different earthquake conditions were observed. The approach of our numerical analysis aimed to complement the experimental results and provide an in-depth understanding of the dynamic behavior of multi-layered soil surfaces during seismic events. The acceleration results achieved with the ABAQUS and DEEPSOIL models for multi-layered soil were in good agreement with the experimental results. By comparing the stress–strain curves, the deformation mechanisms under different constitutive models in the numerical analysis were studied. The results of this study show that the amplification effect of seismic waves is related to the number of soil layers and the degree of compaction of the soil layers. This indicates that multi-layered soil ground and the behavior of the soil layers play an important role in the propagation and impact of seismic waves, and this amplification effect is of great significance in the design of actual seismic disaster risk assessments.