Numerical analysis of rocking rigid elements subjected to seismic ground motion

The main objective of the thesis is to obtain a numerical analysis of a rocking – sliding rigid block, which is excited by an acceleration transferred from the foundation where it lays upright or with an initial assigned inclination. For the evaluation, the block is subjected to certain ground motions provided by accelerometers around the globe with different peak ground accelerations, peak ground velocities, coefficients of static and kinetic friction and variable height. The solution of the analytical models provide with the angular and translational displacement and velocity. These metadata help determine the exact motion that will be performed until the rigid block, which is examined, will result to a resting position or overturn.