3D sandbox and numerical modeling of coseismic surface rupture induced by oblique-slip faulting and its interaction with embedded shallow foundation

Abstract

A series of downscaled physical sandbox experiments are conducted to observe the evolution of the surface rupture induced by the oblique-slip faulting and estimate its impact on a rigid embedded shallow foundation. High-resolution orthoimages and digital surface model of the experiments are generated through the photogrammetry technique to quantify the ground deformation pattern. The distinct element model (DEM) is performed to validate the three-dimensional ground deformation pattern and the fault rupture-soil-foundation interaction (FR-SFI). The surface displacement profile reflects the fault-affected width being approximately 1.10 times the soil thickness. And the deformation gradients reveal the migration of the surface rupture on the ground surface. The distribution of accumulative strain in the numerical model shows the propagation of the fault rupture. The embedded rigid shallow foundation undergoes substantial displacement, inclination, and horizontal rotation with increasing oblique-slip faulting. However, the degrees of damage is strongly related to the spatial geometric relationship between the foundation and the fault rupture. The DEM simulation provides mechanical insights into the propagation of the fault rupture and shows the potential to elucidate the interaction between the shallow foundations and the coseismic surface rupture. ? 2021 Elsevier B.V.