Seismic Behaviour of RC Building Frame Considering Soil–Structure Interaction Effects

Abstract

Reinforced Concrete (RC) frame buildings constitute a large fraction of the urban building stock in India. During past earthquakes, a number of these buildings have been observed to suffer extensive damages. Although conventional code-prescribed seismic design methodology does not account for consideration of soil–structure interaction, the presence of soil can cause a significant change in the seismic behaviour of the buildings. The present article investigates the seismic behaviour of an RC building frame under the influence of nonlinear Soil–Structure Interaction (SSI). Finite element analysis of a five-storeyed building frame is carried out under applied ground motions to simulate the possible effects of earthquake shaking. Analysis of various response entities reveals the mechanisms by which the influence of SSI affects the structural behaviour. Moreover, the analysis demonstrates crucial aspects of the nonlinear behaviour and energy dissipation characteristics of the building frame under the influence of SSI. The study shows that seismic soil–structure interaction cannot be ignored, contrary to the present state of practice and guidelines of the design codes of various countries.