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Modal analysis of pile‐supported structures during seismic liquefaction
Author(s) -
Lombardi Domenico,
Bhattacharya Subhamoy
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
earthquake engineering and structural dynamics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.218
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1096-9845
pISSN - 0098-8847
DOI - 10.1002/eqe.2336
Subject(s) - pile , liquefaction , earthquake shaking table , geotechnical engineering , natural frequency , pile cap , modal , displacement (psychology) , moment (physics) , structural engineering , seismic analysis , engineering , earthquake engineering , geology , vibration , materials science , physics , psychology , classical mechanics , quantum mechanics , polymer chemistry , psychotherapist
SUMMARY The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of liquefaction on modal parameters (frequency and damping) of pile‐supported structures. Four physical models, consisting of two single piles and two 2 × 2 pile groups, were tested in a shaking table where the soil surrounding the pile liquefied because of seismic shaking. The experimental results showed that the natural frequency of pile‐supported structures may decrease considerably owing to the loss of lateral support offered by the soil to the pile. On the other hand, the damping ratio of structure may increase to values in excess of 20%. These findings have important design consequences: (a) for low‐period structures, substantial reduction of spectral acceleration is expected; (b) during and after liquefaction, the response of the system may be dictated by the interactions of multiple loadings, that is, horizontal, axial and overturning moment, which were negligible prior to liquefaction; and (c) with the onset of liquefaction due to increased flexibility of pile‐supported structure, larger spectral displacement may be expected, which in turn may enhance P‐delta effects and consequently amplification of overturning moment. Practical implications for pile design are discussed. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.