DEM Analysis of the Interplay between Soil Density and Earthquake Surface Fault Rupture in Layered Soils
Publication: Geo-Congress 2022
ABSTRACT
Earthquake surface fault rupture produces complex patterns of shear rupture that are heavily influenced by soil inhomogeneity. This study analyzes the influence of inhomogeneous void ratio throughout the soil medium using the distinct element method (DEM). DEM captures the dilatancy and stress–strain response of dense and loose soils without the need for calibration of a constitutive model. Particle assemblages are prepared through a numerical pluviation routine in which loose and dense layers are achieved by pluviating particles with different frictional characteristics. Void ratio is measured within sub-volumes of the particle assemblages. The shear zone along the path of fault rupture is observed as a path of low-relative density and large particle rotations emanating from the bedrock fault. The mobilization of stresses in dense layers exhibited a peak stress followed by softening down to a critical state value, whereas the mobilization of stresses in loose layers monotonically rose to its critical state value. Complex patterns of rupture resulted from the evolution of different soil responses in the layered soil deposit.
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Geo-Congress 2022
Pages: 564 - 572
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Published online: Mar 17, 2022
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