Study on the contact ratio of base mat of reactor buildings considering nonlinear soil-structure interaction effects

The objective of this paper is to evaluate the nonlinear soil-structure interaction effects resulting from base mat uplift for static lateral loads. Nonlinear soil-structure interaction effects are modeled through the use of equivalent soil-structure interaction frictional and axial springs, which properties are determined by results of experimental data. It is assumed that normal stresses in compression and corresponding shear stresses, and friction, can occur in the area of contact between the embedded structure and soil. The remaining parts of the structure and soil are based on elastic analysis. A two-dimensional finite element method with incremental loadings is applied. The substructuring technique is used to reduce computation time. The results of this method with respect to the contact ratio of the base mat are compared with the values obtained by static elastic calculation which is simply derived from an overturning moment and a vertical load of the structure. This analytical concept will be developed into dynamic problems, and then it will be possible to state whether or not this concept can represent a true alternative for the contact ratio of the base mat of a structure. (orig./HP)