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Abstract
This paper reports on the results of soil-foundation numerical modelling and the seismic response of a cooling tower founded on piles of a petrochemical facility located in the city of Augusta (Sicily, Italy). The city was affected in the past by some destructive earthquakes (1693, 1848, and 1990) that damaged a large territory of Southeastern Sicily, which was characterized by a very high seismic hazard. With this aim, the paper reports the FEM modelling of the seismic behaviour of the coupled soil-structure system. To determine the soil profile and the geotechnical characteristics, laboratory and in situ investigations were carried out in the studied area. The seismic event occurred in January 1693 and has been chosen as a scenario earthquake. Moreover, a parametric study with different input motions has also been carried out. A Mohr-Coulomb model has been adopted for the soil, and structural elements have been simulated by means of an elastic constitutive model. Two different vertical alignments have been analysed, considering both the free-field condition and the soil-structure interaction. The dynamic response has been investigated in terms of accelerations, response spectra, and amplification functions. The results have also been compared with those provided by Italian technical regulations. Finally, the seismic response of the coupled soil-structure system has been further examined in terms of peak bending moments along the pile foundation, emphasizing the possibility of a kinematic interaction on piles induced by the seismic action.
Highlights
Petrochemical facilities are highly vulnerable to earthquakes, as shown by past seismic events like Kobe (Japan, 1995), Izmit (Turkey, 1999), Gujarat (India, 2001), and Tokachi-Oki (Japan, 2003)
The research examines the aspects related to seismic hazards and geotechnical issues, such as local site effects as well as the dynamic interaction among the soil, the foundation, and the superstructure
Structures that have significant irregularities in shape, mass, or stiffness require a dynamic analysis, which can be used for all petrochemical facility structures [5]
Summary
Petrochemical facilities are highly vulnerable to earthquakes, as shown by past seismic events like Kobe (Japan, 1995), Izmit (Turkey, 1999), Gujarat (India, 2001), and Tokachi-Oki (Japan, 2003). Certain equipment and anchorage design requirements in a petrochemical facility fall under the category of “subsystem” rather than structures In this context, the present study was addressed by considering the specific seismicrelated aspects of petrochemical facility design, evaluation, and operations, providing a discussion of seismic design philosophy and the general intent of seismic design provisions. The present study was addressed by considering the specific seismicrelated aspects of petrochemical facility design, evaluation, and operations, providing a discussion of seismic design philosophy and the general intent of seismic design provisions With this aim, the research examines the aspects related to seismic hazards and geotechnical issues, such as local site effects as well as the dynamic interaction among the soil, the foundation, and the superstructure. Geosciences 2021, 11, 200 further investigated in terms of peak bending moments along the piles, emphasizing the possibility of a kinematic interaction effect on piles induced by the seismic action
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