Kalman filter finite element method applied to dynamic ground motion

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to investigate the estimation of dynamic elastic behavior of the ground using the Kalman filter finite element method. In the present paper, as the state equation, the balance of stress equation, the strain–displacement equation and the stress–strain equation are used. For temporal discretization, the Newmark ¼ method is employed, and for the spatial discretization the Galerkin method is applied. The Kalman filter finite element method is a combination of the Kalman filter and the finite element method. The present method is adaptable to estimations not only in time but also in space, as we have confirmed by its application to the Futatsuishi quarry site. The input data are the measured velocity, acceleration, etc., which may include mechanical noise. It has been shown in numerical studies that the estimated velocity, acceleration, etc., at any other spatial and temporal point can be obtained by removing the noise included in the observation. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.