Comparison of 2D and 3D models for numerical simulation of vibration reduction by periodic pile barriers

• Attenuation zones are calculated by weak form quadrature element method.
• Comparison of 2D and 3D numerical simulation models is conducted.
• Five different pile lengths are considered in the 3D models.
• The assumption of infinite pile length is acceptable when pile length is sufficiently large.

With the assumption of infinite pile length, frequency attenuation zones of periodic pile barriers for plane waves are analyzed by the 2D periodic structure theory in the previous studies. 2D finite element models are used to validate the frequency attenuation zones obtained by the periodic structure theory, although the piles in practice are of finite length. This note aims to compare the 2D and 3D models for simulation of vibration reduction by periodic pile barriers. Based on the weak form quadrature element method, frequency attenuation zones are calculated by using the 2D periodic structure theory. Moreover, it is found that the 3D numerical results converge to the 2D numerical results as the pile length increases. Therefore, the 2D model can be used to consider the key properties that dominate the response of periodic pile barriers.