Dynamic response of axisymmetric embedded foundations

Abstract

The boundary element method is used to obtain dynamic stiffness functions of rigid cylindrical foundations embedded in a uniform or layered viscoelastic half‐space. Dynamic stiffness functions of hemispherical foundations embedded in a uniform half‐space are also computed. The direct integral equation formulation is used in combination with the complete space point load fundamental solution that is integrated numerically along the azimuthal coordinate. The approach is easy to implement because of the simplicity of the fundamental solution. The numerical results obtained by this method for cylindrical and hemispherical foundations are very close to corresponding published results obtained by different procedures. A parametric study shows the important effects of the Poisson's ratio on the dynamic stiffness functions of cylindrical foundations embedded in a uniform viscoelastic half‐space. The effect of the bedrock compliance on the stiffness functions is also shown in the case of cylindrical foundations embedded in a soil layer that rests on a bedrock.