NUMERICAL SIMULATION ON SAND STRATA DEFORMATION AROUND BUCKET FOUNDATION UNDER DYNAMIC LOADINGS

The liquefaction deformation of sand strata around bucket foundation is simulated under equivalent dynamic ice-induced loadings. A simplified numerical model has been presented for bucket foundation in saturated sand strata. The vertical and horizontal liquefaction deformations under dynamic loading are studied. Firstly, the numerical model and results are verified through a comparison with the centrifuge test results. Secondly, the development characteristics of liquefaction deformation are analyzed. The following results are obtained from numerical simulations: the liquefaction deformation of sand strata increases with the increase of the dynamic loading amplitude, but decreases with the increase of the frequency and elastic modulus. The maximum vertical deformation occurs at the surface which is 0.25 times of bucket’s height apart from the loading boundary. The maximum horizontal deformation occurs at the loading boundary. When the dynamic loadings lasts for more than 5 hours, the vertical deformation at the top surface is 3 times of that at the bottom, and the horizontal deformation at the surface which is 2.0 times of bucket’s height apart from the loading boundary is 3.3% of that at the loading boundary.