Analyzing elastic half-spaces with cavities under wave loads using an RK dynamic infinite meshfree method

This study introduces a novel dynamic infinite meshfree method, termed RK-DIMM (reproducing kernel dynamic infinite meshfree method), which is specifically developed for analyzing elastic half-spaces with cavities under the influence of both P-waves and SV-waves. RK-DIMM integrates the principles of reproducing kernel particle methods with dynamic infinite element techniques to enhance computational efficiency and accuracy in wave propagation simulations. The method partitions the infinite domain into near and far domains using artificial boundaries, utilizing RK in the near domain and DIMM in the far domain. Through the application of stabilized conforming nodal integration and naturally stabilized nodal integration, RK-DIMM achieves accurate and stable solutions. Our rigorous benchmark comparisons have confirmed the method’s exceptional ability to simulate wave dissipation and reflections with high accuracy and computational efficiency. RK-DIMM has proven to be highly effective in mimicking soil responses to synthetic earthquake forces, closely aligning with analytical predictions, and has demonstrated robust performance in scenarios involving underground cavities. Furthermore, its application to real earthquake data, particularly the 1999 Chi-Chi earthquake, underscores its practical utility and relevance. The results from this study highlight RK-DIMM’s potential as a transformative tool in computational geomechanics, significantly enhancing the precision and reliability of seismic impact assessments on civil infrastructures.