DEP 513E Modeling and Computing in Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering

Fall 2013
Course Code

DEP 513E CRN (15012)

Title

Modeling and Computing in Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering

Language

English

Type

Elective

Graduate Level

Masters and PhD

Credit

(3+0)

Semester

Fall

Prerequisite

Engineering Mathematics and Graduate Standing

Program

Earthquake Engineering

Instructor:

Hours

Dr. M.B. Can lker

ITU Institute of Earthquake Engineering and Disaster Management
Room 209
Phone: 212-285-6532/142
E-mail: mbulker@itu.edu.tr
Office Hours: M-Th 2-3 PM
Wed. 1:30-4:30 PM (EEDMI Basement Classroom)

Objectives
This course is an introduction to modeling and computing in geotechnical earthquake engineering
and geomechanics. The intention of the course is to provide students with state of the art
analytical and computational methods for the analysis of complex geotechnical earthquake
engineering problems. The objectives of the course are such that students acquire knowledge to
analytically and numerically simulate various mechanical phenomena as observed in soil
mechanics, foundation engineering and earthquake engineering. This will be achieved by
developing a thorough understanding of the physics behind, providing numerical solutions to the
boundary value problems and utilizing basic numerical methods. Computational techniques using
the classical methods such as the Finite Element Method and Finite Difference Method will be
discussed in details and applied to basic geo-engineering problems encountered in practice.
Learning how to use some commercial softwares listed below will be an additional outcome.

Content
1.
2.

3.

4.
5.
6.

7.

8.

General Introduction
Analytical Methods
a)
Groundwater Flow
b) 1-D Consolidation
c)
Wave Equation and Earthquake Excitations
d) 2-D Dynamic Coupled Flow & Deformation
Introduction to Numerical Methods
a) Finite Difference Method
b) Finite Element Method
Finite Difference Method (FDM) with Applications to Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering
Introduction to Finite Element Method (FEM)
FEM Applications
a)
Earthquake Induced Response of Soil Layers and Embankments
b) Dynamic Stress and Deformation Analysis
c)
1-D and 2-D Dynamic Coupled Flow and Deformation Problem
Introduction to Constitutive Modeling
a)
Fundamentals
b) Numerical Modeling of Elemental Behavior
Term Project Discussions and Final Remarks

Outcomes:
a) A necessary analytical mindset for modeling and approaching the solution of geotechnical
earthquake engineering problems
b) Developing a proper knowledge base for numerical methods used in solving boundary value
problems in geotechnical earthquake engineering
c) Learning and making use of computer softwares in solving these problems
d) Getting introduced to developing simple yet useful computer codes
e) Describing the concepts of the theory of multi-dimensional dynamic consolidation in terms of
dynamics of porous media
f) Acquiring knowledge for earthquake-induced response of soil-structure systems
g) Developing an understanding in constitutive modeling of soils under cyclic loads
h) Developing numerical tools to capture the dynamic behavior of soils under earthquakes
i) Evaluating the amount and type of deformations leading to various instabilities caused by
earthquake excitations in soils

Shadings of vertical displacements for top

heading advance in tunneling

Total head contour and phreatic line in seepage in

dam

Shadings of vertical displacements for top

heading advance in tunneling

Wave-induced contours of mean effective stress underneath caisson breakwater

0.00
0

0.50

p/p0
1.00

1.50

2.00

-0.05
-0.1

z (m)

-0.15
-0.2

-0.25
-0.3

T=1sec
This Study FEM
Tsai and Lee (1985)
Experiment
Tsai and Lee (1995)
Analytical

-0.35
-0.4

Comparison of finite element analysis, analytical result and experimental result of pore pressure
distribution with depth in soil under waves

Course Website:
A course website will be developed depending on the number of registered students.
Grading:
Homework Assignments (30%) (Approximately 1 in 2 weeks)
Midterm (20%)
Term Project (20%)
Final Exam (30%)
Midterm:
There will be one midterm exam given in the middle of the semester. It will be a take home
type midterm and the details will be provided later on.
Term Project:
The students are highly urged to start working on their term projects in a timely manner. It is
important that they choose their topic as early as possible and work on it regularly in consultation
with the instructor. A list of suggested topics and the requirements will be revealed later in the
semester.
Textbook:
No textbook is required for this course. However, some are recommended. These are listed
below. Lecture notes and relevant papers will also be posted on the instructors website.
1- Computational geomechanics : with special reference to earthquake engineering
Authors: Zienkiewicz OC, Chang CH, Pastor M, Schrefler BA, Shiomi T.
Publisher: Chichester ; New York : John Wiley, c1999.
ISBN: 0471976407
2- Finite element analysis in geotechnical engineering: Theory
By David M. Potts, Lidija Zdravkovi
Publisher: Thomas Thelford, 1999.
ISBN: 0 7277 2753 2
3- Finite element analysis in geotechnical engineering: Application
By David M. Potts, Lidija Zdravkovi
Publisher: Thomas Thelford, 2001.
ISBN: 0 7277 2783 4
4- Amos Gilat (2008), MATLAB An Introduction with applications, 3rd Ed. John Wiley
5- Prem K. Kythe and Dongming Wei (2003) An Introduction to Linear and Nonlinear
Finite Element Analysis; Birkhauser.
6- J N Reddy (1993), An Introduction to Finite Element Method; McGraw Hill.
Computer Programs and Packages:
The following computer programs/packages (latest available versions at ITU) will be introduced

and used during the class; MAPLE, MATLAB, GEO-SLOPE PROGRAMS (SIGMA-W, SEEPW). Also there are plenty of commercial numerical softwares whose student versions are
available on or off-campus such as ANSYS, ABAQUS, Plaxis etc.
Note: Using softwares and developing codes and worksheets with MATLAB and MAPLE will
be necessary. It is a plus if you are experienced with them or with an FEM code but it is not
required.