Effects of response spectrum of pulse-like ground motion on stochastic seismic response of tunnel

authored by: Guan Chen, Yong Liu, Michael Beer
Abstract: It is widely accepted that near-fault pulse-like ground motions potentially cause more severe damage to structures than ordinary ground motions. However, the effects of stochastic pulse-like ground motions on underground structures are not effectively considered. The impacts of response spectra of pulse-like ground motions on seismic response are also unclear. Hence, this study utilizes an underground tunnel to investigate the effects of response spectra of pulse-like ground motions on the stochastic seismic response by combining a pulse-like ground motion simulation method and a finite element method. The combination procedure enables stochastic seismic response analysis under spectrum-compatible pulse-like/ordinary ground motions. The finite element model considers the nonlinear dynamic properties of soil and soil–structure interaction. Monte Carlo simulations are carried out to quantify uncertainties of stochastic tunnel response. Results show that pulse-like ground motions cause larger bending moments for tunnel lining even when they match the same target spectrum of ordinary ground motions. Furthermore, the bending moment of tunnel lining is significantly amplified when the spectral acceleration of pulse-like ground motion contains bulges or multiple peaks in the ranges of 1 s–6 s. Therefore, the seismic risk of tunnels may be significantly underestimated in the near-fault regions without considering pulse-like ground motions and their spectral acceleration characteristics.
Organisation(s): Institute for Risk and Reliability
External Organisation(s): Wuhan University
University of Liverpool
Tongji University
Type: Article
Journal: Engineering structures
Volume: 289
ISSN: 0141-0296
Publication date: 15.08.2023
Publication status: Published
Peer reviewed: Yes
ASJC Scopus subject areas: Civil and Structural Engineering
Electronic version(s): https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2023.116274 (Access: Closed)