Normal Fault Rupture Interaction with Strip Foundations

Observations after earthquakes where surface fault ruptures crossed engineering facilities reveal that some structures survived the rupture almost unscathed. In some cases, the rupture path appears to divert, “avoiding” the structure. Such observations point to an interaction between the propagating...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of geotechnical and geoenvironmental engineering 2009-03, Vol.135 (3), p.359-370
Main Authors: Anastasopoulos, I, Gazetas, G, Bransby, M. F, Davies, M. C, El Nahas, A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Applied sciences
Buildings. Public works
Earthquakes
Earthwork. Foundations. Retaining walls
Exact sciences and technology
foundations
Geotechnics
Q1
Seismic activity
Soil
Stress
Structure-soil interaction
TECHNICAL PAPERS
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Observations after earthquakes where surface fault ruptures crossed engineering facilities reveal that some structures survived the rupture almost unscathed. In some cases, the rupture path appears to divert, “avoiding” the structure. Such observations point to an interaction between the propagating rupture, the soil, and the foundation. This paper (i) develops a two-step nonlinear finite-element methodology to study rupture propagation and its interaction with strip foundations; (ii) provides validation through successful Class “A” predictions of centrifuge model tests; and (iii) conducts a parameter study on the interaction of strip foundations with normal fault ruptures. It is shown that a heavily loaded foundation can substantially divert the rupture path, which may avoid outcropping underneath the foundation. The latter undergoes rigid body rotation, often detaching from the soil. Its distress arises mainly from the ensuing loss of support that takes place either at the edges or around its center. The average pressure q on the foundation largely dictates the width of such unsupported spans. Increasing q decreases the unsupported width, reducing foundation distress. The role of q is dual: (1) it compresses the soil, “flattening” fault-induced surface “anomalies”; and (2) it changes the stress field underneath the foundation, facilitating rupture diversion. However, even if the rupture is diverted, the foundation may undergo significant stressing, depending on its position relative to the fault outcrop.
ISSN:1090-0241
1943-5606
DOI:10.1061/(ASCE)1090-0241(2009)135:3(359)