NUMERICAL MODELLING

1
Fault-Rupture and Strong Shaking Effects on the
Safety of Composite Foundations and Pipeline
Systems QUAKER University of Dundee, UK
Geodynamique et Structure, France National
Technical University of Athens, Greece Studio
Geotecnico Italiano, Italy Laboratoire Central
des Ponts et Chausees, France.
The primary aim of the QUAKER programme is to
gain a greater understanding of the effects of
earthquake loading on soil and structure/lifeline
systems by the application of advanced
geotechnical engineering techniques. The
consortium will study in detail two major
unresolved issues in foundation dynamics the
behaviour of infrastructure (a) very close to
fault-rupture, and (b) during strong shaking.
This will be done using a combination of research
techniques field assessment, physical model
testing, advanced numerical modelling, and
synthesis of the results obtained from these
different approaches. The findings will be used
to produce improved practical design methods.
Topic A Fault rupture emergence
Topic B strong shaking
Fault-rupture emergence
Structure
Structure
Normal faulting
Soil
Inclined pile
Soft soil
Soft soil
a
Bedrock
(a) Shallow foundations
(c) Pile groups
Stiff layer
Stiff layer
Reverse faulting
Soil
Bedrock
Bedrock
Strong shaking
a
Strong shaking
Bedrock
(b) Pipelines
(a) Vertical pile group
(b) Pile group with battered piles
Figure 2. Interaction with foundations/infrastruct
ure
Figure 1. Diagram of faulting modes
Structure
FIELD MONITORING
Figure 9. Types of foundations for study in topic
B
Soft soil
Bedrock
Strong shaking
(c) Shallow foundation
FIELD MONITORING
Figure 10. Buildings overturning in Adapazari
during the M7.4 Izmit 1999 earthquake
Figure 3. Foundations in Golcuck adjacent to
fault rupture emergence during the 1999 Izmit
Earthquake
CENTRIFUGE MODELLING Faulting modes are being
investigated using centrifuge modelling at 120g.

CENTRIFUGE MODELLING Investigating the
over-turning of shallow foundations (as in the
1999Adapazari earthquake) and of pile groups
subject to shock loadings (to calibrate dynamic
p-y curves) prior to the full base shaking tests
of the three geometries shown in Figure 9.
Fault rupture emergence
Foundation
0.625 m
120 g
0.208 m
Soil
Figure 11. The LCPC Centrifuge.
Figure 3. The centrifuge model testing apparatus
a
Actuator
Adjustable dip angle
Figure 4. The centrifuge modelling apparatus
(shown for a dip angle, a 60o)
Figure 5. The geotechnical centrifuge in Dundee
Displacement
NUMERICAL MODELLING
Acceleration
Strain gauges
Figure 12. Pile group geometry and
instrumentation for the centrifuge tests
(a 60o)
Input shaking
Figure 6. Free-field reverse fault (a 60o)
NUMERICAL MODELLING Numerical modelling will be
carried out to determine the foundation responses
for the strong shaking condition. In particular,
allowance will be made for the non-linearity of
the soil stress-stress strain law and the
three-dimensional nature of the foundation
geometries.
Figure 8. Interaction of normal fault with thick
raft foundation
Figure 7. Free-field normal fault (a 60o)
Funded through the EU Fifth Framework Programme
Environment, Energy and Sustainable Development.
Research and Technological Development Activity
of Generic Nature The fight against Natural and
Technological Hazards. Contract number
EVG1-CT-2002-00064