Earthquake Response of Two Adjacent Buildings Founded at Different Depths

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to study the interaction between adjacent buildings with different foundation levels under earthquake loading conditions. Buildings and soil are represented by two different models. In the first case, the building itself is modeled with standard frame elements, whereas the soil behavior is simulated by a special grid model, In the second case, the building and soil are represented by plane stress or plane strain elements. The modulus of elasticity of the ground as well as the varying relations of inertia have a strong influence on the section forces within the buildings. The interaction between the two buildings is demonstrated and discussed via numerical examples using the proposed method.