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Seismic response behavior of deep flexible underground structures in sand-insights from an experimental–numerical investigation

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Abstract

The evaluation of soil-structure response behavior and the development of soil pressures under dynamic loading is critical for the design of closely spaced underground structures. 3D effects, kinematic soil-structure interaction (SSI), and elastic–plastic soil behavior are common limitations to current analytical approaches and 2D numerical models. Results from large-scale shake table tests conducted at E-Defense are used to create and calibrate a 3D FEM model in Abaqus. The complex SSI behavior was validated in terms of depth-dependent soil accelerations and magnitude and distribution of seismic soil pressures along the vertical shaft walls. Parametric studies were executed to assess the influence of soil friction angle, soil cohesion, as well as structural rigidity on the development of seismic soil pressures and wall deformations. Results suggested the soil cohesion to be instrumental on the wall-soil-interaction, and superior in its influence compared to friction angle. The paper presents valuable details and lessons learned from the extensive 3D modeling exercise and provides guidance for numerical replication of shake table experiments, including the simulation of laminar shear rings, contact elements, soil-ring friction, as well as membrane and boundary effects.

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Data availability

All experimental data used during this study are publicly available in the DesignSafe CS online repository in accordance with funder data retention policies. Numerical data are available from the authors upon request. The experimental data of the paper are publicly available at DesignSafe-CI by NHERI under Dataset ID: DOI:10.17603/DS21C78; the numerical model is available upon request from the authors of the manuscript.

Code Availability

Not applicable.

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Funding

This research was not supported through any non-institutional (i.e., external) funding.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Transportation Engineer, California Department of Transportation, Los Angeles, CA, Formerly Doctoral Researcher, @ University of CA, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA

    Lohrasb Keykhosropour

  2. Associate Professor, Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA

    Anne Lemnitzer

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  1. Lohrasb Keykhosropour
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  2. Anne Lemnitzer
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All authors made substantial contributions to the execution of the work; the analysis and interpretation of data; and the preparation of the work for publication.

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Correspondence to Anne Lemnitzer.

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Keykhosropour, L., Lemnitzer, A. Seismic response behavior of deep flexible underground structures in sand-insights from an experimental–numerical investigation. Bull Earthquake Eng 20, 5205–5231 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10518-022-01388-x

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