Dynamic Soil-Structure Interaction Analysis of a Telescope At the Javalambre Astrophysical Observatory

Abstract eng:
This paper reports on the dynamic soil-structure analysis of a telescope pier of an astrophysical laboratory in the Sierra de Javalambre, Teruel (Spain). Vibration control in the design stage is of prime concern, since astrophysical observations may be hindered by mechanical vibration of the sensitive optics of the telescope. These vibrations may result from wind loading on the telescope dome, transferred through the foundation to the telescope. Therefore, the manufacturer of the telescope has imposed a minimal resonance frequency of 10 Hz for the supporting structure. For a massive construction such as a telescope pier, this resonance frequency may be significantly influenced by the effects of dynamic soil-structure interaction. The telescope is mounted on a concrete pier with a height of 15.25 m, founded on 73 reinforced concrete micro-piles with a diameter of 0.40 m. The dynamic soil characteristics at the site have been determined by means of a down-hole test. The effect of dynamic soil-structure interaction is studied using a coupled finite element - boundary element model of the telescope pier - foundation soil system. The response of the telescope is computed for harmonic loading at the top of the telescope pier. Results demonstrate that the effect of dynamic soil-structure interaction is significant. An analysis that disregards dynamic soil-structure interaction results a predicted resonance of 14.28 Hz while a fully coupled analysis predicts a resonance frequency of 11.2 Hz.

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