Effects of Contact Condition of Side Walls of Embedded Foundation on Dynamic Response of Structures

In the present study, dynamic response characteristics of a massive structure with a rigid foundation partially embedded in an elastic half space were examined by using the 3-dimensional boundary element method. Analyses were carried out for various contact conditions of the side walls of the embedded foundation. Results obtained in this study indicate that when 3 side walls of the embedded foundation are welded to the surrounding soil, dynamic response of the foundation is almost similar to that of the fully contacted foundation. It is also true when the embedment depth of the foundation is smaller, effects of contact condition of side walls become relatively small.