Efficiency of various mitigation schemes in the alleviation of the destructive effect of reverse dip-slip fault rupture on surface and embedded shallow foundations using upper bound finite element limit analysis

Abstract

It is attempted in this study to alleviate the destructive influences of rigid foundation-fault rupture interaction using various mitigation schemes. The efficiency of such mitigation techniques to divert the mainstream of the fault rupture from overlying superstructures is examined through a comprehensive set of limit analysis simulations using the upper bound theorem along with finite elements discretization and linear programming.The accuracy of this novel numerical analysis developed for the simulation of the interaction between fault and foundation is rigorously validated against various high-quality experimental studies throughout the literature. Consecutively, an extensive parametric survey is carried out on the geometric and strength properties of seismic wall barriers to meticulously explore their efficacy on the diminution of the deformation of the shallow foundation subjected to the emergence of reverse dip-slip fault rupture outcrop at the ground surface. Accordingly, the influences of all effective variables related to the mitigating wall, including the wall depth, width and relative position, and also its material type (EPS geofoam, soil-bentonite and LECA) and the corresponding strength properties, on the fault-foundation interaction are thoroughly examined. The results showed that the increase in the fault throw leads to a significant augmentation of the foundation rotation for all unprotected and protected cases under study.