Abstract

Soil-structure interaction under extreme loading conditions includes performance during earthquakes, floods, landslides, large deformation induced by tunneling and deep excavations, and subsidence caused by severe dewatering or withdrawal of minerals and fluids during mining and oil production. Such loading conditions are becoming increasingly more important as technologies are developed to cope with natural hazards, human threats, and construction in congested urban environments. This paper examines extreme loading conditions with reference to earthquakes, which are used as an example of how extreme loading influences behavior at local and geographically distributed facilities. The paper covers performance from the component to the system-wide level to provide guidance in developing an integrated approach to the application of geotechnology over large, geographically distributed networks. The paper describes the effects of earthquake-induced ground deformation on underground facilities, and extends this treatment to the system-wide performance of the Los Angeles water supply during the 1994 Northridge earthquake. Large-scale experiments to evaluate soil-structure interaction under extreme loading conditions are described with reference to tests of abrupt ground rupture effects on urban gas pipelines. Large-scale tests and the development of design curves are described for the forces imposed on pipelines during ground failure.