Earthquake analysis with generalized plasticity model for saturated soils

Abstract

AbstractA plasticity based constitutive model for anisotropic behaviour of soils is implemented in a finite element procedure based on the generalized Biot theory for the dynamic non‐linear response of porous materials. The model represents a version in the hierarchical approach of constitutive modelling and allows for inelastic response during loading, unloading and reloading. The procedure has been verified previously with respect to closed‐form solutions for wave propagation in porous media. In this paper, it is used to predict the behaviour of a realistic structure‐saturated porous soil system subjected to earthquake loading. Both linear and non‐linear analyses have been performed. It has been found that the predicted responses from the two analyses are significantly different; for example, in comparison with the linear analysis the non‐linear response shows increased magnitudes and zones of concentration of pore water pressures, increased magnitudes of horizontal displacements, decreased magnitudes of vertical displacements and increased magnitudes of shear stresses.