Dynamic analysis of large-scale SSI systems for layered unbounded media via a parallelized coupled finite-element/boundary-element/scaled boundary finite-element model

An algorithm for a parallelized coupled model based on finite element method (FEM), boundary element method (BEM), and scaled boundary FEM (SBFEM) for harmonic and transient dynamic response of large-scale 20 structures embedded in or on layered soil media is presented. The BEM and SBFEM are used for modelling the dynamic response of the unbounded media. The standard FEM is used for modelling the finite region and the embedded structure. The objective of the development of this parallelized coupled model is to use the power of high performance computing, and to take into account the advantages and evade the disadvantages of the above mentioned numerical methods for modelling of the unbounded media in soil-structure interaction (SSI) systems. The development of the parallel algorithm for this model is essential for solving arbitrarily shaped large-scale SSI problems, which cannot be solved within reasonable elapsed times by a serial algorithm. The efficiency of the proposed parallel algorithm and the validity of the coupled model are shown by means of three numerical examples, indicating the excellent accuracy and applicability of the parallel algorithm with considerable time-savings in large-scale problems. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.