Physical and numerical modeling of seismic soil-structure interaction of prefabricated subway station structure

Physical and numerical studies were conducted to explore the seismic performance characteristics of multi-story and multi-span prefabricated subway station structures, and to identify its weak parts and damage mode during earthquakes. A two-story three-span prefabricated subway station structure was designed and fabricated with a scale ratio of 1:10 and was subjected to a static pushover test that simulated the soil-structure interaction. The test results were interpreted to determine the horizontal resistance - interstory displacement capacity curve of the station, and the interstory displacement ratio (IDR) limit values under each seismic performance state. The experimental results revealed that the upper layer of the prefabricated subway station structure was more severely damaged than to the lower layer, and that the column ends of the upper layer were the weakest parts of the structure in terms of seismic resistance. The splicing joints were generally reliable, but the side wall-middle span splicing joint showed visible cracks. Furthermore, a finite element model was established based on the physical test configuration and was utilized to analyze the pushover tests. The numerical results indicated that the vertical load significantly accelerates the prefabricated subway station to reach the peak point and limit point of its horizontal bearing capacity. The IDR value of subway station seismic performance level 4 determined by the bearing capacity curve of the column was 30% lower than the IDR value obtained by the structural bearing capacity curve.

Automated summary

Physical and numerical studies were conducted to investigate the behavior of multi-story and multi-span prefabricated subway station structures during earthquakes. A scaled model was subjected to a static pushover test to determine its horizontal resistance and interstory displacement ratio values. The experimental results showed that the upper layer of the structure suffered more severe damage than the lower layer, and the column ends were the weakest parts in terms of seismic resistance. Reliable splicing joints were observed, but visible cracks appeared at the side wall-middle span joint. Finite element analysis indicated that vertical load significantly affects the horizontal bearing capacity of the subway station.