Dynamic Responses of Saturated Half-Spaces under Distributed Buried Loads

Abstract

In this paper, three-dimensional dynamic responses of a saturated half-space under arbitrary distributed buried time-harmonic load are investigated through analytical developments. In the development, the linear porous medium model established by de Boer is employed to describe the mechanical behavior of the saturated medium. By virtue of displacement potentials, the field equations are fully decoupled into four independent wave equations, which are then treated with finite Fourier and Hankel transformations. Finally, the solutions of filed variables are obtained via the imposition of boundary as well as interfacial conditions, and thereupon presented in the form of an inverse Hankel transform that in general is evaluated with numerical methods. Examples involving surface, buried patch loads are also presented to validate the solutions and examine the effect of the saturated soil’s permeability coefficient.