Seismo-VLAB: An open-source finite element software for seismic meso-scale simulations

Abstract

We present Seismo-VLAB (SVL), a new open-source, object-oriented finite element software designed to optimize meso-scale simulations in the context of structural and geotechnical engineering. To this end, state-of-the-art tools and parallel computing capabilities required for efficient modeling of soil–structure interaction and wave propagation in heterogeneous half-spaces are included. For example, perfectly matched layer, domain reduction method, dynamic nonlinear solvers, cutting edge parallel linear system solvers, domain decomposition method, and a series of plasticity models are some of the features available in SVL. In this work, we present the numerical implementation and software structure so enthusiastic developers can contribute to this open-source project and showcase some software capabilities using an illustrative example.

Keywords

• Finite element software
• Soil–structure interaction
• Wave propagation
• Meso-scale simulation
• Perfectly matched layer
• Domain reduction method