MODELING SOIL-STRUCTURE INTERACTION CONSTRUCTION

For buried structures, where the structural action is the result of an interaction between the surrounding soil mass and the structure, the analysis must consider the effects of the construction sequence. The usual method of adding elements, when using a finite element program that has the capability of adding and removing elements to simulate the progress of construction, may lead to either numerical instabilities or results that are unacceptable. A technique which combines application of a preload with element birth to overcome these problems is described and illustrated.