Seismic behaviour of concrete moment resisting buildings on soft soil considering soil-structure interaction

In this study, the effects of soil-structure interaction (SSI) on the seismic behaviour of reinforced concrete moment resisting building frames are studied using finite difference method. Two types of mid-rise structures, consisting of 5 and 15 stories on soft soil, are selected and analysed. The above mentioned frames are analysed under two different boundary conditions: (i) fixed-base (no soil-structure interaction), and (ii) considering soil-structure interaction. To model soil-structure interaction, the soil medium considering soil's non-linear damping and plasticity with interface elements between soil and structure is included. The results of the analyses in terms of structural forces and lateral displacements for the above mentioned boundary conditions for different earthquakes are compared. It is observed that lateral deflections and drifts of the structures increase when SSI is included.