Analysis of cooling towers on a soft soil layer subjected to horizontal incident earthquake motions from base rock

Abstract An analysis of soil-structure interaction response of cooling towers was performed based on the frequency domain response. A cooling tower is assumed to rest on a soil layer subjected to an incident earthquake motion. The analytical method makes use of the finite element scheme of a rotational shell and solid elements. In the numerical model, dashpot elements are included at the sides and bottom boundaries, with a natural soil column at the sides. The effects of radiation damping on the horizontal and downward infinite regions, as well as the internal damping of soil layers, are revealed as important, and reduce the response of towers.