Nonlinear Analysis of PCC Bridge Abutment-Layered Soil Interaction System Subjected to Different Seismic Ground Motions | Chapter 3 | Engineering Research: Perspectives on Recent Advances Vol. 9

 

The present study investigates the structural behaviour of a PCC bridge abutment-layered soil system subjected to seismic ground accelerations due to different time histories. The linear and nonlinear soil-structure interaction analyses are carried out using the latest version of ABAQUS/CAE 2024, considering a 2D plane strain approach. The material of PCC abutment is considered to behave in a linear manner, whereas the layered soil mass is considered to be a nonlinear material. To capture the real-world complexity of subsurface conditions, a layered soil profile with varying soil types is modelled, incorporating both linear elastic and nonlinear Mohr-Coulomb soil properties. This simulation also accounts for detailed soil-structure interaction (SSI) through surface-to-surface contact interfaces between the abutment and surrounding soils. To assess seismic performance, three notable Indian earthquakes of varying ground accelerations [India-Burma (1988), Chamba (1995), and Bhuj (2001)] are selected for dynamic time-history analysis. The dynamic simulations are conducted to evaluate the displacement response and stress distribution in the abutment and underlying soil strata. The applied boundary conditions and loading scenarios are defined to closely reflect realistic field conditions.

 

The results of analyses reveal that horizontal displacements are significantly amplified under dynamic loading, especially when nonlinear soil behaviour is considered. For instance, under the India-Burma earthquake, horizontal displacement due to linear analysis is 175mm, whereas the nonlinear analysis, it to be 482 mm. On the contrary, the vertical displacements remained relatively consistent, with minor variations across all cases, indicating a limited impact of seismic motion on vertical settlements.

 

The comparison between linear and nonlinear analyses reveals that nonlinear soil characteristics have a significant influence on structural behaviour and cause reduced stress concentrations and altered displacement patterns. The present investigations underscore the necessity of incorporating advanced soil models and SSI effects for reliable seismic assessment of bridge abutments. The findings offer valuable insights for engineers and researchers, supporting the design of safer and more resilient infrastructure in earthquake-prone regions.

 

Author(s) Details

Rishav Kumar
Department of Civil Engineering, Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology, Bhopal, India.

 

M.S Hora
Department of Civil Engineering, Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology, Bhopal, India.

 

Please see the book here:- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/erpra/v9/5875