| When a finite element method (FEM) is used to solve the problems concerned with transient soil-structure interaction, the boundary of the mesh generates spurious reflections. Although the finite element formulation is straightforward for solving the problems with nonlinearity, inhomogeneity and isotropy, it cannot provide a reliable solution when the domain is infinite. Therefore, another solution method linked to the finite element method is required when this type of problems is considered. Boundary element formulation for the dynamic problems satisfies the radiation condition so that it could be coupled to FEM to approximate the far field solution.;In this dissertation, the author presents a time-domain formulation of the coupled finite element-boundary element technique (FEBEM). This technique is applied to the antiplane and inplane cases in two dimensional soil-structure interaction. Rigid foundations embedded in a half-space subjected to incident waves and external excitation are analyzed. Numerical implementations are developed by using an explicit time integration for the combined finite-boundary element method.;As an example of a nonlinearity, sliding between the foundation and the linear elastic medium is considered. A regularized Coulomb's friction law associated with a prescribed normal stress is used for the antiplane case. A nonlinear constitutive law for the normal contact is used for the inplane case.;Problems with multi-scattering are also investigated for the antiplane motion. Different numerical techniques are also discussed through a comparison study. |
