Abstract Summary
Modelling of soil-structure interaction (SSI) problem has always been a challenging topic for structural engineers. In the last half-century, several simplified modelling techniques have been proposed to consider SSI by idealizing the soil domain. The behavior of these models are different in terms of complexity, accuracy and application cases. Thus, selecting a reasonably accurate and efficient model to simulate seismic soil-structure interaction is an important issue for structural engineers. The current study makes an attempt to assess the performance of three simplified modelling techniques (Gazetas spring and dashpots, Cone model and Beam on Nonlinear Winkler Foundation BNWF model) through a comparison study which is conducted on nine reinforced concrete Moment Resisting Frame MRF structures with various height and widths and two different soil profiles. The seismic responses of the structures are investigated through a nonlinear time history analysis and the performance of the models are compared in terms of capturing the period lengthening, lateral displacement, inter-story drift and total base shear in the structures. The strength, limitation and application cases of each model is also discussed. In addition, the influences of soil-structure interaction on seismic response of MRF structures on soft soil deposits are investigated and two main parameters (structure-to-soil stiffness ratio and structural slenderness ratio) are introduced which has shown great effects on controlling the role of SSI on building structures.
