Amplification of surface ground motion by an inclusion of arbitrary shape for harmonic surface line loading

Abstract

AbstractThe plane strain model for the Lamb's problem with an elastic inclusion of arbitrary shape embedded completely within an elastic half space is investigated by using an indirect boundary integral equation method for steady‐state elastodynamics. The surface of the half space is subjected to vertical or horizontal harmonic line loads. The displacement field is evaluated throughout the elastic medium so that the continuity of the displacement and traction fields along the interface between the half space and the inclusion is satisfied in a least‐square sense. The numerical results demonstrate that the presence of the inclusion may cause locally very large amplification of the surface ground motion and that the amplification pattern depends upon the frequency and the type of the input load, the impedance contrast between the half space and the inclusion, the type of the inclusion, and the location of the observation point at the surface of the half space.