The study of soft soil seismic subsidence based on the 3D OpenSees model

Abstract

Soft soils are characterized by high sensitivity, low strength, and susceptibility to seismic subsidence. In this study, nonlinear dynamic finite element analysis was performed using the OpenSees numerical simulation method to evaluate the seismic subsidence response of soft soil sites to ground motions. Higher peak acceleration of ground motion was found to enhance the degree of uneven seismic subsidence, depth of the seismic depression, and damage to the horizontal surface. The frequency characteristic of ground motion is another factor that influences the seismic subsidence of soft soil. Ground motions with low-frequency contents or high amplitudes lead to a more pronounced seismic subsidence of soft soil, particularly in the case of ground motion that exhibits frequency predominantly close to one of the soil sites. The findings of this study expand the current understanding of seismic subsidence of soft soil.