Dynamic and transient infinite elements. Theory and geophysical, geotechnical and geoenvironmental applications (Q1012828)

This monograph presents a state-of-the-art report on the theory and application of dynamic and transient infinite elements used to simulate the effects of multiple processes acting in the far field (at possibly multiple scales and in complicated geometrical conditions) on the near field of systems involving the dynamical and transient behavior of infinite media in infinite domains. Indeed, geophysical, geotechnical, and geoenvironmental engineering problems in infinite domains require an efficient coupled computational method involving finite elements (applied to model processes in the near field) as well as dynamic/transient infinite elements (applied to model processes in the far field) if accurate and useful solutions to earthquake wave propagation problems, dynamic structure-foundation interactions problems as arising e.g. in dam engineering, or heat transfer and mass transport problems in porous media, to name but a few, shall be obtained with reasonable modeling efforts. The book is attractive to a broad readership for it introduces the theoretical foundations needed in the description of dynamic infinite and transient infinite elements in a rather self-consistent manner. Furthermore, the systematic presentation of the theoretical aspects of both dynamic infinite and transient infinite elements is complemented by related application examples, viz. a Chapter on the theory of e.g. two-dimensional dynamic infinite element for simulating wave propagation problems in infinite media (Chapter 2) is immediately followed by application Chapters focusing on the simulation of dynamic dam-water-foundation interaction problems (Chapter 3) and on the simulation of wave scattering effects under different canyon topographical and geological conditions (Chapter 4). Turning to three-dimensional dynamic infinite elements, the theory of which is presented in Chapter 5, dynamic structure-foundation interaction problems are discussed as an application in Chapter 6. Transient infinite elements are treated in Chapter 7 (Theory) and the relevant applications presented in Chapter 8 deal with pore-fluid flow and heat transfer processes in porous media of infinite domains. The text is illustrated by a large number of conceptual figures and plots showing results from numerical simulations. In the theory-chapters, sufficient detail is given to able to follow the derivation of the mathematical concepts, and a large number of further references are also included.