Evaluation of the Frequency and Time Domain Soil-structure Interaction Analysis Methods against the Hualien Large-scale Seismic Test (LSST) Data

Abstract

Nonlinear seismic soil-structure interaction (SSI) analyses are often completed using the equivalent linear frequency domain analysis method as it is simple to use and computationally efficient. However, the method is inherently linear and a better strategy is to employ the nonlinear time domain analysis method, which is computer intensive but can more accurately simulate nonlinear soil behavior. In this thesis, the two methods are evaluated using the Hualien LSST field data. For the nonlinear time domain analyses, the utilized Hualien LSST finite element model is initially verified by comparing its linear responses to those obtained via the linear frequency domain analysis method; which is also verified against the multi-step analysis approach. In the frequency domain, the equivalent linear analyses are completed by an industry collaborator. The results show that two methods generate similar responses for the low intensity earthquakes but differ for the more intense and amplified earthquakes.