Dynamic analysis of piled foundations in stratified soils by a BEM-FEM model

In this paper, a 3D BEM-FEM coupling model is used to study the dynamic behavior of piled foundations in elastic layered soils in presence of a rigid bedrock. Piles are modelled by FEM as beams according to the Bernoulli hypothesis, and every layer of the soil is modelled by BEM as a continuum, semi-infinite, isotropic, homogeneous, linear, viscoelastic medium. First, the main points of the model are set out. Then, several results of vertical, horizontal and rocking impedances for single piles and 2 x 2 pile groups embedded in a stratum resting on a rigid bedrock, are presented. The influence on the dynamic response of stratum depth, soil stiffness and piled foundation configuration is discussed. Finally, the influence of the stratigraphy on the seismic response of a 3 x 3 pile group is analyzed, together with the pile-to-pile kinematic interaction and the wave-scattering phenomena. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.