Seismic response of base-isolated liquid storage tanks considering fluid–structure–soil interaction in time domain

Abstract

The seismic response analysis of a base-isolated liquid storage tank on a half-space was examined using a coupling method that combines the finite elements and boundary elements. The coupled dynamic system that considers the base isolation system and soil–structure interaction effect is formulated in time domain to evaluate accurately the seismic response of a liquid storage tank. Finite elements for a structure and boundary elements for liquid are coupled using equilibrium and compatibility conditions. The base isolation system is modeled using the biaxial hysteretic element. The homogeneous half-space is idealized using the simple spring-dashpot model with frequency-independent coefficients. Some numerical examples are presented to demonstrate accuracy and applicability of the developed method. Consequently, a general numerical algorithm that can analyze the dynamic response of base-isolated liquid storage tanks on homogeneous half-space is developed in three-dimensional coordinates and dynamic response analysis is performed in time domain.