Dynamic response of 3-D flexible foundations by time domain BEM and FEM

Abstract

The response of three-dimensional linear elastic foundations of arbitrary shape placed on a homogeneous, isotropic and linear elastic soil medium to dynamic disturbances is numerically obtained. Both external forces and obliquely incident seismic waves of arbitrary time variation are considered. The numerical method employed is a combination of the time domain Boundary Element Method used for the soil medium and the Finite Element Method used for the flexural foundation plate. This method has advantages over frequency domain techniques in that it provides in a natural and direct way the time history of the response and forms the basis for extension to non-linear problems.