Non-Linear Modeling of Dip-Slip Faults Using Applied Element Method

On observing the recent big earthquakes that have occurred in Turkey (M.7.4, 1999.8.17) and Taiwan (M.7.3, 1999.9.21), it is understood that the differential ground displacement is also responsible for the failure of structures. Now, it is understood that there is a need to channelize the research interests to study the failure propagating mechanism through the soil deposit. Numerous researchers have attempted to study this phenomenon through, experiments for understanding the effects of seismic fault mechanism and soil deposit parameters on surface deformation characteristics. However, from the widespread damage caused by the recent events, it is now clear that the earthquakes in different geological regions show drastic variations in their effects such as, large surface upliftment/displacements of unconsolidated soil deposits, lying commonly over the active and potentially active faults. Hence, there is a need to develop a numerical model which can give quantitative results to establish a relationship among characteristics of seismic fault rupture, soil parameters and location and area of affected zone. For this reason, we attempted to develop a new application of Applied Element Method (AEM) to study the fault rupture zone