DARE : Soil–Foundation–Structure Systems Beyond Conventional Seismic “Failure” Thresholds
Conventional seismic design for soil–foundation–structure interaction is still based on the “prudent” conservative approach inherited from static geotechnical and structural engineering: the use of “overstrength” factors plus (explicit and implicit) factors of safety.
Engineers must avoid a number of thresholds that lead to the creation of failure mechanisms in the supporting soil or at the footing–soil interface. However, a growing body of evidence suggests that soil–foundation inelastic and nonlinear response under seismic excitation is unavoidable, and at times even desirable. Our involvement to the EU-funded DARE Project dates back to 2008 when the idea of rocking footings was initially conceived and continued throughout the entire project duration. The founding members of Grid Engineers have contributed to the Project a total of 18 Scientific papers.
Funded by European Commission
Conventional seismic design of bridge foundation
Demonstation of the Rocking foundation concept: the bridge survives a severely strong earthquake with minor pier damage.