Applications of the Scaled Boundary Finite-Element Method to Offshore Geotechnical Problems

摘要

The scaled boundary finite-element method uses a semi-analyticaltechnique to solve the non-homogenous partial differential equationsgoverning the elastostatics of two and three-dimensional continua.When compared to the traditional finite element method, the scaledboundary finite-element method has been shown to provide improvedaccuracy as well as computational time savings, while retaining theability to model complex geometries and boundary conditions. Thispaper presents a brief introduction to the scaled boundary finiteelementmethod and outlines the incorporation of non-homogeneouselasticity into the method. The variation of Young’s modulus (E) withdepth (z) is assumed to take the form E= m_Ez~α, where m_E is α constantand a is the non-homogeneity parameter. Results are presented andcompared to analytical solutions for the settlement profile of rigid andflexible circular footings on an elastic half space with α varyingbetween zero and one. Future applications of the scaled boundaryfinite-element method to offshore geotechnical problems are alsodiscussed.