Seismic Analysis of Caisson Foundation

Abstract

Caisson foundations are extensively used as supports and anchors for major structures especially bridges in soft soils. This study involves seismic analysis of caisson foundations in cohesive soil under lateral load and overturning moment. A simplified model of caisson is developed in ANSYS software and nonlinear static pushover analysis is performed. A caisson with pier column is modeled and a mass is attached to the top of pier column. Rotational springs are attached to both caisson and deck mass. This arrangement constitutes a simplified model. Different simplified models are prepared with changes in spring stiffness, and a most effective model is selected. For this effective model, the pier height is varied and analysed.