FAILURE OF CONCRETE STRUCTURE UNDER TSUNAMI LOADING

Abstract

Failure of coastal buildings under tsunami impact has caused numerous problems in past events. With the availability of advance computational capabilities, numerical simulation of such complex physical phenomena as tsunami-structure interaction has become a possibility. At the same time, a reliable simulation can be useful in understanding the tsunami-structure interaction mechanism and developing design tech-iques and guidelines for future constructions. In the study, three-dimensional numerical simulation was carried out to assess the failure of a reinforced concrete wall under tsunami loading, using the finite element modeling code LS-DYNA. The validity of the computational model was confirmed by comparing with the experiment results. Numerical simulation reproduced the failure and damage to the reinforced concrete wall significantly well, confirming the applicability of the simulation. Further analysis was carried out to assess the tsunami force on a lateral wall in an enclosed building and the results are discussed.