The role of the foundation gap on the pounding between low-rise buildings

Abstract

The pounding between two structures may cause severe damage, as demonstrated during historical seismic events. In particular, the effects of the continuity between the foundations below two structures have been investigated a few times in the past literature. Two different configurations (continue and non-continue foundations) have been investigated herein by considering several low-rise buildings. In order to consider the effects of Soil Structure Interaction (SSI) between the structures, the foundation, and the soil, a deformable soil below the foundations was considered. 3D Numerical simulations have been performed with Opensees by considering the SSI non-linear mechanisms of the complex system: soil-foundation-structure. A parametric study on the dynamic characteristics (fundamental periods) of the two structures was performed in order to assess the mutual effects of the soil and the considered low-rise buildings. It was demonstrated the role of continued foundations, whether for existing or new buildings, on reducing the pounding risk between structures. In particular, the collision between the two foundations may significantly increase the response of the building, depending on its flexibility. Also, the level of stress in the soil depends on the pounding forces causing significant increases in the structural deformations.