Periodic network of shallow foundations and soil–structure interaction - Finite Element Analysis

Abstract

Periodic structures have attracted sustained interest across many scientific disciplines due to their ability to exhibit attenuation intervals in their frequency response, commonly referred to as band gaps. This paper highlights the periodic nature of the foundation systems of certain building types, particularly long-span structures supported by numerous shallow foundations. These footings are most often arranged periodically in both horizontal directions. In this work, we demonstrate that geotechnical soil–structure interaction concepts can be employed to characterize the rheological behavior of soil-foundation interfaces. By modeling a succession of foundations as a series assembly of a large number of elementary rheological elements, a periodic mechanical system subjected to harmonic excitation is obtained. A one-dimensional analytical approach combined with a three-dimensional numerical approach based on the finite element method makes it possible to identify band gaps that warrant further investigation. In the context of the growing development of urban seismology, this study raises preliminary questions regarding the relevance of modeling foundations as interacting elements under seismic excitation.