Seismic soil–structure interaction in buildings on stiff clay with embedded basement stories

Abstract

The increasingly popular performance-based design approach requires that soil–structure interaction (SSI) analysis become an integral part of the seismic evaluation. This is particularly important for structures with substantial embedment. The primary objectives of this study are twofold: (i) evaluate the SSI effects for buildings with a basement and (ii) evaluate the ability of two analytical methods to account for SSI effects in seismic design — an analytical solution for kinematic SSI and a nonlinear finite element model. Scaled model shaking table tests were performed on a model building with an embedded basement founded in a synthetic stiff clay deposit enclosed in a laminar soil container. The model structure used in this study comprised a simple single-degree-of-freedom structure with a modular box foundation designed to permit consideration of structures with different basement embedment depths. The experimental results showed that the ratio of effective period of the soil–structure system to that of the structure ([Formula: see text]) decreased for the long-period structure and increased for the short-period structure, with increasing embedment. The results confirm the ability of the analytical techniques to predict with reasonable accuracy the SSI effects for buildings with embedded parts.

Assessment of soil-structure interaction on a 51-story building from the spectral ratio of earthquake recordings

“…Ideally, implementation of these mitigation measures should be based on instrumental recordings of strong earthquakes, for such data are crucial for improving earthquake resistant design of buildings [2]. The inclusion of SSI phenomena in the seismic analysis and design of structures has been addressed in seismic code provisions, including the FEMA450 document [3].…”

“…Inertial interaction results from inertia forces produced by seismic accelerations of the structure. Inertia forces increase the base shear and overturning moments acting on the foundation, resulting in relative displacements between the free field and foundation [3]. Kinematic interaction, on the other hand, occurs due to the inability of the relatively rigid foundation to conform to the ground motion, causing deviation of the foundation motion from the free-field motion.…”

“…However, it increases lateral displacements and secondary forces associated with P-delta effects [7]. Therefore, SSI effects should be considered during the design process [3]. Aviles and Perez-Rocha [8] investigated site effects and SSI during the Mexico earthquake of 1985.…”

“…Analyses of records obtained in buildings during strong earthquakes and ambient vibrations from building have shown the natural frequencies and damping ratio may vary with increasing amplitude of shaking [10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17]. At present reliable field measurements of earthquake effects on tall buildings are still limited [3]. Fortunately, the Central Weather Bureau (CWB) of Taiwan has installed 60 digital strong-motion array systems in buildings and other structures for engineering and scientific purposes since 1992, as part of its Taiwan Strong Motion Instrumentation Program (TSMIP) [18].…”

Seismic response of embankment slopes with different reinforcing measures in shaking table tests

“…In recent years, dynamic centrifuge tests or shaking table tests were widely adopted by scholars to investigate the seismic response of geotechnical structures (Mohajeri and Towhata 2003;Teymur and Madabhushi 2003;Kagawa et al 2004;Rayhani and El Naggar 2007;Torisu et al 2010;Motamed et al 2013;Srilatha et al 2013;Turan et al 2013). In dynamic centrifuge test, the test model can well meet the requirements of similarity relation because the gravitational field can be changed as expected.…”