Rigid Block Sliding to Idealized Acceleration Pulses

Abstract

AbstractNew analytical solutions are derived for the frictional sliding of rigid blocks to idealized ground acceleration pulses. These excitations are indicative of near-fault earthquake motions affected by forward fault-rupture directivity, which may inflict large permanent displacements in the absence of substantial frictional resistance at the sliding interface. The scope of this study is threefold: (1) to derive analytical solutions for a wide set of idealized pulses; (2) to investigate the effects of symmetric and asymmetric sliding under both unilateral and bilateral excitation conditions; and (3) to explore alternative normalization schemes of peak sliding with reference to peak pulse acceleration, velocity, duration, and shape. A generalized exponential function, capable of simulating an infinite number of pulse waveforms based on a single parameter, is employed to this end. Results are presented in the form of dimensionless closed-form expressions and graphs that provide insight into the physics ...