Development of 3d Elastodynamic Infinite Elements for Soil-structure Interaction Problems

This paper presents three-dimensional (3D) infinite elements for the multi-layered elastodynamics problems. There are three types of elements, namely horizontal, vertical and corner elements. They have been developed using wave functions in function spaces that can simulate real wave problems properly. The elements are extended forms of the axisymmetric infinite elements developed previously. Since these elements can simulate multiple layers and multiple wave numbers, the response of a 3D general structural system considering soil-structure interaction effect can be determined effectively. Numerical analyses are carried out for a rigid massless disk and square footings on the surface of various layer conditions for verification purposes. The calculated results are compared with existing analytical and numerical data and they were found to be in good agreement.