Introduction to Calculation

To perform a two-dimensional local simic response analysis using RSL III 2D finite element software, the following steps must be followed:

1.Definition of materials and geotechnical characteristics, from Material archive.

2.Generation of the geometric model and subsequent definition of the triangular calculation mesh (Unstructured mesh generation button). As a guideline for the geometric modelling, each terrain layer must be schematised by means of a closed polygon to which one of the previously created materials must be assigned.

3.Definition of calculation phases, by appropriate command. To perform a local seismic response analysis using RSL III 2D, two phases must be defined. In the first phase, the calculation of the initial tensional state of the defined model is performed. The second phase consists of the actual analysis of the local seismic response of the considered model in which, following the assigned accelerograms, the response spectrum is calculated.

4.Defining boundary conditions. The boundary conditions must be assigned differently for the two calculation phases. In the first phase, the boundary conditions of a classical finite element analysis are assigned, such as pinned joint at the bottom edge and pinned support with an axis perpendicular to the edge, along the lateral surfaces. In the second phase, these constraints must be supplemented by absorbing contours, the function of which is to limit the effects of reflection of seismic waves at the edges of the model, which only have a numerical character but do not actually occur in situ.

5.Assignment of accelerograms. In the second calculation phase, accelerograms must be assigned to perform the local seismic response analysis. In RSL III 2D, accelerations are assigned at the bottom edge of the model, as described in the appropriate section.

6.Analysis of local seismic response and visualisation of results.