Interface elements for finite element modeling of soil structure interaction Mobile researcher: Henning Stutz, Germany

The young researcher seeking for a mobility grant works on a PhD thesis entitled "Global structure response considering transient Soil-Structure Interaction (SSI)" at Bauhaus-Universitat Weimar within the Research Training Group "Coupled Numerical Models for Structural Engineering" funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG). Both, the PhD research project as well as the research training group focus on model quality, which is within the research training group differentiated between partial model qual ity and coupled model quality. In this definition, different SSI models are partial models which have to be considered as a first step in determining global model quality. A vast amount of different partial models (e.g. soil models in SSI) is available bu t little is known on their quality. A considered partial model choice is essential in order to obtain realistic and reliable global models. Examples of global models in the context discussed here are tunnels, dikes, dams, excavations, shallow and deep fou ndations. In his PhD research project, the young researcher will investigate in various SSI models with a strong focus on cyclic SSI. The proposed mobility project will serve to develop and improve modeling techniques for the use of finite element analysi s in SSI simulations. Starting from an elastic perfectly plastic interface formulation, more refined elastoplastic interface elements will be developed that include special modeling techniques for cyclic effects, e.g. stiffness degradation models. It is a imed at establishing a complete toolkit for the later evaluation of partial models as described above. Within the research stay at NTNU, a first evaluation of existing and new models for SSI, especially for cyclic loading, shall be completed.