Open AccessA hybrid multiresolution meshing technique for finite element three‐dimensional earthquake ground motion modelling in basins including topography
Author(s) -
Ichimura T.,
Hori M.,
Bielak J.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
geophysical journal international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.302
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1365-246X
pISSN - 0956-540X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-246x.2009.04154.x
Subject(s) - polygon mesh , finite element method , volume mesh , octree , geology , geometry , mesh generation , computer science , algorithm , computational science , structural engineering , mathematics , engineering
SUMMARY This paper is concerned with a finite element method that uses hybrid meshes of multiresolution structured and unstructured meshes to simulate earthquake ground motion in large basins. While standard octree‐based mesh methods use cubic elements and rely on mesh refinement to model topography, the present hybrid meshes use tetrahedral elements to model complicated layer interfaces and above‐ground surfaces and to provide a transition between cubic elements of different sizes. The hybrid meshes avoid the step‐like character inherent to the cubic meshes and the resulting concomitant loss of accuracy. Several numerical experiments of increasing complexity are carried out to verify and illustrate the proposed technique.