A coupled meshless-SBFEM-FEM approach in simulating soil-structure interaction with cross-scale model

Abstract

This paper presents an integrated, customized routine that uses object-oriented programming and a “super element class” to apply an integrated approach to simulate soil-structure interaction (SSI) problems. The scaled boundary finite element method (SBFEM) and finite element method (FEM) are applied together with the quad tree technique to implement cross-scale modeling for solid elements. Meanwhile, the meshless interface seamlessly connects mismatched and differing sizes of meshes between the soil and the structure, thus allowing cross-scale modeling at the interface level. In addition, through modify the radial point interpolation function (RPIM) and the method of searching supporting nodes, the precision near the boundaries of meshless interface are improved, and circular (cambered) type interfaces can be simulated. Thus, through a coupled Meshless-SBFEM-FEM approach, a fine analysis of soil-structure interaction problem with multilevel cross-scale model can be conducted.