Efficient Dynamic Analysis of Foundation via a Coupled Axisymmetric SBFEM-3D FEM

An axisymmetric scaled boundary finite element method (SBFEM) for the elastodynamic analysis of 3D layered continua is derived in frequency domain. The general three-dimensional unbounded domain can be divided into a number of independent two-dimensional problems and this analysis offers considerable savings in storage and computation times as compared to a full three-dimensional analysis. A new coupled formulation has been established to match the axi-symmetrically modeled unbounded far field to a general 3D finite element of the near field. The derived formulation will be used for frequency domain analysis of foundation embedded in or resting on a layered elastic soil supported by the surface of rigid bedrock. The dynamic response calculated using the proposed method is compared with analytical or numerical solutions. Numerical examples demonstrate the accuracy and high efficiency of the proposed new method