NEHRP Clearinghouse
- Title
- Soil Transients by Characteristics Method.
- File
- PB80144710.pdf
- Author(s)
- Papadakis, C. N.
- Source
- National Science Foundation, Washington, DC. Engineering and Applied Science., October 1973, 212 p.
- Identifying Number(s)
- UMEE-73R10
- Abstract
- Application of the characteristics method is examined to evaluate ground motions induced in soil deposits during earthquakes. A review of methods for one-dimensional shear wave propagation through horizontal layers of unsaturated soil is presented, followed by a discussion of the accuracy of results obtained by the characteristics method as compared to closed form solutions. The Base Motion Synthesis method was devised to compute bedrock motions from recorded surface motion. One-dimensional shear wave propagation through tapered cross-sections of earth dams with truncated crests is explored. The vertical propagation of pressure waves through saturated horizontal elastic soil deposits are studied. Also presented, is a simulation study of two-dimensional transmission of shear and pressure waves through unsaturated viscoelastic layered systems. A number of examples illustrate applicability of the characteristics method and provide comparisons of solutions with other methods of analysis. References and appendices are included.
- Keywords
- Seismic waves; Method of characteristics; Earth movements; Dynamic response; Ground motion; Earthquake engineering; Secondary waves; Theses; Soil dynamics; Computer programs; Shock waves; Soil mechanics; Earthquakes