Dynamic-Response Analysis of the Branch System of a Utility Tunnel Subjected to Near-Fault and Far-Field Ground Motions in Different Input Mechanisms

There are few studies on the dynamic-response mechanism of near-fault and far-field ground motions for large underground structures,especially for the branch joint of a utility tunnel(UT)and its internal pipeline.Based on the theory of a 3D viscous-spring artificial boundary,this paper deduced the equivalent nodal force when a P wave and an SV wave were vertically incident at the same time and transformed the ground motion into an equivalent nodal force using a self-developed MATLAB program,which was applied to an ABAQUS finite element model.Based on near-fault and far-field groundmotions obtained fromtheNGA-WEST2 database,the dynamic responses of a utility tunnel and its internal pipeline in different inputmechanisms of near-fault and far-field groundmotions were compared according to bidirectional input and tridirectional input,respectively.Generally,the damage to the utility tunnel caused by the near-fault ground motion was stronger than that caused by the far-field ground motion,and the vertical ground motion of near-fault ground motion aggravated the damage to the utility tunnel.In addition,the joint dislocation of the upper and lower three-way joints of the pipeline in the branch systemunder the seismic action led to local stress concentrations.In general,the branch system of the utility tunnel had good seismic performance to resist the designed earthquake action and protect the internal pipeline fromdamage during the rare earthquake.

Far-field analysis of effects of unilateral rupturing fault on the space correlation of strong ground motion

On the assumption that seismic source is simplified as linear rupture fault with finite length, this paper qualitatively studies the seismic source effects on space correlation of strong ground motion. Based on expanding expression of Fourier spectrum of strong ground motion with space coordinate variables, this paper also gives a expression of describing correlation of strong ground motion field. According to far-field condition, the theoretical formula of the expression can be obtained. Furthermore, this paper presents a theoretical formula of estimation the radius of strong ground motion field, which depends on expansion condition of Fourier spectrum of strong ground motion, with space variables. At last, taking one earthquake as an example, this paper gives three-dimension patterns of radius of the field with epicenter distance and azimuth as well as frequency.

Seismic Responses of Asymmetric Base-Isolated Structures under Near-Fault Ground Motion

An inter-story shear model of asymmetric base-isolated structures incorporating deformation of each isolation bearing was built, and a method to simultaneously simulate bi-directional near-fault and far-field ground motions was proposed. A comparative study on the dynamic responses of asymmetric base-isolated structures under near-fault and far-field ground motions were conducted to investigate the effects of eccentricity in the isolation system and in the superstructures, the ratio of the uncoupled torsional to lateral frequency of the superstructure and the pulse period of near-fault ground motions on the nonlinear seismic response of asymmetric base-isolated structures. Numerical results show that eccentricity in the isolation system makes asymmetric base-isolated structure more sensitive to near-fault ground motions, and the pulse period of near-fault ground motions plays an import role in governing the seismic responses of asymmetric base-isolated structures.

Seismic behavior of variable frequency pendulum isolator

Earthquake performance of a flexible one-story building isolated with a variable frequency pendulum isolator （VFPI） under near-fault and far-field ground motions is investigated. The frictional forces mobilized at the interface of the VFPI are assumed to be velocity dependent. The interaction between frictional forces of the VFPI in two horizontal directions is duly considered and coupled differential equations of motion of the isolated system in the incremental form are solved iteratively. The response of the system with bi-directional interaction is compared with those without interaction. In addition, the effects of velocity dependence on the response of the isolated system are also investigated. Moreover, a parametric study is carried out to critically examine the influence of important parameters on bi-directional interaction effects of the frictional forces of the VFPI. These parameters are： the superstructure time period, frequency variation factor （FVF） and friction coefficient of the VFPI. From the above investigations, it is observed that the dependence of the friction coefficient on relative velocity of the system does not have a noticeable effect on the peak response of the system isolated with VFPI, and that the bi-directional interaction of frictional forces of the VFPI is important and if neglected, isolator displacements will be underestimated and the superstructure acceleration and base shear will be overestimated.