A 2.5D finite/infinite element approach for modelling visco-elastic bodiessubjected to moving loads

The objective of this study is to propose a 2.5D finite/infinite element pr ocedure for dealing with the ground vibrations induced by moving loads. Bes ides the two in-plane degrees of freedom (DOFs) per node conventionally use d for plane strain elements, an extra DOF is introduced to account for the out-of-plane wave transmission. The profile of the half-space is divided in to a near field and a semi-infinite far field. The near field containing lo ads and irregular structures is simulated by the finite elements, while the far field covering the soils extending to infinity by the infinite element s with due account taken of the radiation effects for moving loads. Enhance d by the automated mesh expansion procedure proposed previously by the writ ers, the far field impedances for all the lower frequencies are generated r epetitively from the mesh created for the highest frequency considered. Fin ally, the accuracy of the proposed method is verified through comparison wi th a number of analytical solutions. Copyright (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.