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On soil-structure interaction in large non-slender partially buried structures

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Abstract

This paper addresses the seismic analysis of a deeply embedded non-slender structure hosting the pumping unit of a reservoir. The dynamic response in this type of problems is usually studied under the assumption of a perfectly rigid structure using a sub-structuring procedure (three-step solution) proposed specifically for this hypothesis. Such an approach enables a relatively simple assessment of the importance of some key factors influencing the structural response. In this work, the problem is also solved in a single step using a direct approach in which the structure and surrounding soil are modelled as a coupled system with its actual geometry and flexibility. Results indicate that, quite surprisingly, there are significant differences among prediction using both methods. Furthermore, neglecting the flexibility of the structure leads to a significant underestimation of the spectral accelerations at certain points of the structure.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the Subdirección General de Proyectos de Investigación of the Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (MINECO) of Spain and FEDER through research project BIA2010-21399-C02-01 and also by the Agencia Canaria de Investigación, Innovación y Sociedad de la Información (ACIISI) of the Government of the Canary Islands and FEDER through research project ProID20100224. A. Santana is recipient of the FPI research fellowship BES-2009-029161 from the MINECO. The authors would like to thank the engineer Mr. Elías Fernández who, by describing the problem as well as his concerns on the applicability of the current methods to solve it, motivated the research presented in the paper.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centro de Modelado en Ingeniería Mecánica (CEMIM-F2I2), Madrid, 28006, Spain

    J. Vega

  2. Instituto Universitario de Sistemas Inteligentes y Aplicaciones Numéricas en Ingeniería (SIANI), Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35017, Spain

    J. J. Aznárez, A. Santana, L. A. Padrón, J. J. Pérez & O. Maeso

  3. Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenieros Industriales, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Madrid, 28006, Spain

    E. Alarcón

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  1. J. Vega
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  2. J. J. Aznárez
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  3. A. Santana
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  4. E. Alarcón
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  5. L. A. Padrón
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  6. J. J. Pérez
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  7. O. Maeso
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to O. Maeso.

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Vega, J., Aznárez, J.J., Santana, A. et al. On soil-structure interaction in large non-slender partially buried structures. Bull Earthquake Eng 11, 1403–1421 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10518-013-9433-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10518-013-9433-8

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