Structure-soil-structure interaction effects on the dynamic response of piled structures under obliquely incident seismic shear waves

Abstract

This work studies the structure-soil-structure interaction (SSSI) effects on the dynamic response of nearby piled structures under obliquely incident shear waves. For this purpose, a three-dimensional, frequency-domain, coupled boundary element – finite element (BEM–FEM) model is used to analyse the response of a configuration of three buildings aligned parallel to the horizontal component of the wave propagation direction. The SSSI effects are studied in terms of the maximum shear force at the base of the structures in both frequency- and time-domains. The results are presented in a set of graphs so that the magnitude of the interaction effects in configurations of buildings with similar vibration properties depending on the distance between them and the angle of incidence can be easily estimated. These results show a high influence of the wave type and angle of incidence on the interaction effects, not always corresponding the worst-case scenario with the commonly assumed hypothesis of vertical incidence. It is found that for configurations of non-slender structures, the SSSI effects can significantly amplify or reduce the single building maximum response depending on the separation between structures and excitation.