Numerical study on reducing foundation rotation under reverse faulting using PU and AL foams considering trench geometry

Nima Ajeli Lahiji , Behnam Adhami , Gholamreza Ghodrati Amiri , Elham Rajabi

Abstract

This paper numerically investigates using energy-absorbing foams to mitigate reverse faulting damage on shallow foundations. Using ABAQUS and MATLAB, the study examines how trench horizontal distance (S=2.5, 5, 7.1), depth (D=2.5, 5, 10, 12), and width (B=0.25, 0.5, 1) affect foundation rotation for aluminum and polyurethane foams. Results show increasing polyurethane trench width from 0.25 to 1 m reduces rotation by 26%. Depth increases beyond a D/foundation-width ratio of 0.5 significantly reduce rotation, with diminishing returns thereafter. Optimal trench distance is 5 m, cutting rotation by up to 64% versus the 2.5-m case. Under optimal conditions (large depth, proper spacing), polyurethane outperforms aluminum, offering up to 42% greater rotation reduction. However, at close spacing, aluminum performs more consistently, while polyurethane can increase rotation by up to 145%. A highly accurate rotation prediction equation (R2 near 1) is presented. Overall, foam type and trench geometry are critical for effective fault damage mitigation.

Key Words

aluminum foam; parametric study; polyurethane foam; reverse faulting; rotation equation

Address

Nima Ajeli Lahiji, Behnam Adhami — Department of Civil Engineering, Islamic Azad university, CT.C., Tehran, Iran
Gholamreza Ghodrati Amiri — Natural Disasters Prevention Research Center, School of Civil Engineering, Iran University of Science & Technology, Tehran, Iran
Elham Rajabi — Department of Civil Engineering, Tafresh University, Tafresh 39518-79611, Iran

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