Soil Structure Interaction Effect on an Asymmetrical R.C. Building with Shear Walls

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Earthquake in populated areas throughout the world causes extensive damage to the various structures that result in catastrophic loss of human life and enormous economic losses. However, the damage can be attributed to the inadequate design of the structures. Sometimes for low to medium rise structures, the analysis and design with respect to lateral forces has generally been a process of checking the vertical load resisting system for its ability to resist lateral forces. However, for tall buildings, the vertical load resisting system cannot resist lateral forces efficiently, it is well recognized that the incorporation of lateral force resisting systems in the form of shear walls, bracing systems etc. improve the structural performance of building subjected to lateral forces due to earthquake excitation. Further, the position of shear walls in a building alters the response of structure. It is desirable to decide the position of the of the shear walls judicially, so that maximum benefit can be derived. Similarly, adopting realistic approach for structure foundation soil behavior, a flexible approach analysis considering soil structure interaction, also alters the response of structure in terms of bending moment, axial thrust, etc. therefore response of building in terms of forces and bending moment in members, is required to be ascertained, with the placement of shear walls at different possible locations and also with the consideration of soil structure interaction effect. The phenomenon of soil-structure interaction is more pronounced in multi-storied building frames especially, when resting on poor soil, due to possibility of large unequal column loads. Neglecting SSI is reasonable for light structures in relatively stiff soil such as low rise buildings and simple rigid retaining walls. The effect of SSI, however, becomes prominent for heavy structures resting on relatively soft soils for example high-rise buildings, nuclear power plants and elevated-highways on soft soil.