Seismic analysis of coupled soil-pile-structure systems leading to the definition of a pseudo-natural SSI frequency

The elastodynamic response of coupled soil-pile-structure systems to seismic loading is studied using rigorous three-dimentional (3D) finite element models. The system under investigation comprises of a single pile supporting a single degree of freedom (SDOF) structure founded on a homogeneous viscoelastic soil layer over rigid rock. Parametric analyses are carried out in the frequency domain, focusing on the dynamic characteristics of the structure, as affected by typical foundation properties such as pile slenderness and soil-pile relative stiffness. Numerical results demonstrate the strong influence on effective natural SSI period of the foundation properties and the crucial importance of cross swaying-rocking stiffness of the pile. Furthermore, the notion of a pseudo-natural SSI frequency is introduced, as the frequency where pile-head motion is minimized with respect to free field surface motion. Dynamic pile bending is examined and the relative contributions of kinematic and inertial interaction, as affected by the frequency content of input motion, are elucidated.