Dynamic response of 3-d embedded foundations by the boundary element method (Q1064875)

The dynamic response of three-dimensional rigid embedded foundations of arbitrary shape, resting on a linear elastic, homogeneous, and isotropic half-space is numerically obtained. The foundations are subjected either to externally applied forces or to obliquely incident seismic body or surface waves of arbitrary time variation. The time domain boundary element method (BEM) is utilized to simulate the soil medium with the aid of Stokes' fundamental solutions. The dynamic response of the foundation- soil system is obtained in a step-by-step time-marching solution. Use of this time domain BEM requires a minimum amount of surface discretization only and provides the basis for an extension to nonlinear soil-structure interaction problems.