A coupled fluid layer–rigid disk–poroelastic half-space vibration problem

Abstract

This paper proposes a coupled fluid layer–foundation–poroelastic half-space vibration model to study how still water affects foundations operating underwater. As an example, we consider the problem of the vertical vibration of a rigid disk on a poroelastic half-space covered by a fluid layer having a finite depth. The solution of the disk vibration problem is obtained using the boundary conditions at the free surface of the fluid layer and the boundary conditions at the fluid layer–poroelastic medium interface. The solution is expressed in terms of dual integral equations that are converted into Fredholm integral equations of the second kind and solved numerically. Selected numerical results for the vertical dynamic impedance coefficient are examined based on different water depths, poroelastic materials, disk permeabilities and frequencies of excitation. Based on the numerical results, it is proposed that the hydrodynamic pressure caused by the foundation vibration is the intrinsic reason that the existence of a fluid layer has such a great effect on the dynamic characteristics of the foundation. In many cases, the hydrodynamic pressure caused by the foundation vibration cannot be ignored when designing dynamic underwater foundations. These results are helpful in understanding the dynamic response of foundations under still water without water waves, such as foundations in pools, lakes and reservoirs.