Full 3D nonlinear time history analysis of soil-structure interaction for a masonry arch bridge

This study presented herein was carried out to investigate the effects of considering soil-structure interaction and comparing it with the conventional way of design (fixed base) condition. In this regard a full three-dimensional nonlinear dynamic soil-structure interaction (SSI) analysis is performed to investigate response of a historical bridge to seismic excitation, and the effect of soil foundation on its response. The super structure and substructure were both modeled using solid elements having 6 degree of freedom at each nodes. The results of this study reveals that considering SSI could have a huge effects on the behavior, analysis and design of structures and these effects of SSI could be detrimental for displacement and rotation while it is very beneficial for acceleration, base shear, overturning moment and amount of stress in the system.