Simplified Dynamic Finite-Element Analysis for Three-Dimensional Pile-Grouped-Raft-High-Rise Buildings

Abstract

Combined with the respective advantages in S-R(Sway-Rocking) impedance concept and finite-element method, a simplified 3D structural dynamic FEM considering composite pile-group-soil effects is presented. The structural members including piles are modeled by spacial beam or shell elements, and raft-base is divided into thick-shell elements with its spring-dashpot boundary coefficient obtained by impedance backcalculated. The mass-spring elements for soil between piles are set to simulate vertical, horizontal pile-group effects by strata-equivalent approach. The soil beside composite body is separated into near-field and far-field parts. The former is modeled by nonlinear spring-dashpot elements based on Winkler’s hypothesis, while the latter is modeled by a series of linear mass-spring-dashpots. With the effects of boundary track forces and energy radiation, the presented model enables researchers to conduct the time-domain nonlinear analysis in a relatively simple manner which avoids sophisticated boundary method and solid-element mesh bringing with tremendous computational cost. The seismic effect on dynamic interaction of pile-soil-complicated structures would be efficiently annotated from two structural engineering and geotechnical engineering aspects and the numerical calculation effort would be drastically decreased too. The complete procedure is mainly performed using the parametric design language assembled in the Finite Element Code Ansys. With the dynamic analysis of foundation and superstructure for a pile-supported 15-storey building, the influence of the participant effect on structural dynamic response will be depicted by various dynamic parameters of pile-soil-raft foundation in detail. Not only do the results have an agreement with some conclusions drawn by the general interaction theory, but also certain of phenomena which would be disagree with that by general analysis is involved. Even with the finite-element meshes for 68 piles, the time-history analysis procedure for PGSS (Pile-Group-Soil-Superstructure) system and the qualitative evaluation with various SSI parameters can be also fulfilled efficiently and rapidly by presented means. These results may be of help to the designers to quickly assess the significance of interaction effect for the high-rise buildings resting on any type or layout of pile-group foundation.