What is it about?
Studies on the local seismic response (LSR) of fractured rock masses and in the presence of underground karst cavities and faults are not widespread. Many of the studies in the literature are based on numerical analyzes conducted with finite element calculation codes whose use in similar geomechanical models are not appropriate. In the case study presented, the choice was made to use the UDEC calculation code, specifically created for the analysis of anisotropic rock masses, to evaluate the effects of underground karst caves and of the layer and faults discontinuities on the amplification / deamplification of seismic motion on the surface.
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Why is it important?
The LSR numerical simulation evaluated by the values of amplification factor (FA) obtained with two distinct calculation methods shows a generalised deamplification of seismic motion on the ground level of the model, both in the absence and in the presence of hypogean karst caves. Moreover, the effect of seismic deamplification at the top and in axis with the underground caves, already highlighted in the literature for cavities with diameter D > 5.6 m in homogeneous and isotropic substrate models, is confirmed by the minimum FA values reached at the point no. 5, with both calculation methods, even for a cave with D < 5.6 m.
Perspectives
I conducted this research with the aim of increasing knowledge on the dynamic behavior and on the local seismic response of complex geomechanical models such as those present in many karst areas such as those of Puglia (Italy).
PhD Giovanni Bruno
Politecnico di Bari
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: 2D numerical analysis of the seismic response of a karst rock mass: importance of underground caves and geostructural details, Studia Geotechnica et Mechanica, March 2020, De Gruyter,
DOI: 10.2478/sgem-2019-0028.
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