The Spectral Cell Method in Nonlinear Earthquake Modeling

Abstract

In this study we focus at examining an efficient high order finite element strategy to compute the dynamic response of heterogeneous basins under nonlinear soil behavior subjected to point-source earthquake events -- The numerical technique known as the Spectral Cell Method (SCM) combines Fictitious-Domains concepts with the Spectral-version of the finite element method to accurately solve the wave equations in heterogeneous geophysical domains -- We tested the SCM in physically and computationally challenging domains namely, (i) a semi-elliptical basin, and (ii) an undulated basin embedded in a half-space with several irregular geological structures with different material discontinuities -- Nonlinear behavior is considered by implementing a Mohr-Coulomb, and a Drucker- Prager yielding criteria -- We benchmark our simulations with results obtained using MIDAS GTS NX, a finite element tool for geotechnical applications based upon traditional boundary-fitted meshing techniques