Research Proposal

SOIL STRUCTURE INTERACTION EFFECTS IN BUILDINGS

Abstract

External forces such as earthquake, wind,

and blast lead to the deformation of the
ground as well as of the supported
structures. Ignorance of the influence of
soil–structure interaction (SSI) could lead
to unsafe design of structures founded
particularly on soft soils. To understand
the performance of a multi-storey building
with varying heights, foundation types,
and pile depths under the influence of SSI,
a shake table test with earthquake
excitation was considered necessary. In
this
paper, results of a series of shake table test
performed on scaled multi-storey building
frame models subjected to El-Centro
earthquake are presented. The testing was
carried out on three building frame models
of four, six, and eight storeys. Accel-
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eration, displacement, natural frequency,

and damping ratio of the frame models as
influenced by the following attributes
have been investigated: (1) varying
building heights; (2) SSI and fixed base;
(3) different types of foundation systems
viz.
isolated, mat, and pile foundations; and (4)
varying pile depths. The experimental
investigations considering the SSI e ffects
show that the natural frequency and
damping ratio depend on the foundation
system of the frame models. It is also
observed
that the natural frequency and damping
ratio decrease with the increase in height
of frame model. The investigations show
that the pile foundation offers least lateral
displacement of the frame models as
compared to the isolated and the mat
founda-
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tions. Empirical formulas are extracted

from the test results to estimate the
damping
There is certain type of External forces just like earthquake, high winds, and blast can result the destruction of the
buildings and ground. While designing the building structures the non-consideration of the effects of SSI can result to
unsafe designs and hence implementation. The building performance with different heights, foundational variation, and
pile depths effecting the of Soil structure interaction behaviour is crucial to study. A complete and comprehensive study of
SSI is performed to analyse and determine its effects in building. A comprehensive information about the background of
SSI and methods for analysis of SSI (soil structure interaction) and its effects are crucial for the innovation in the structural
modification. The Shaking table test damping test and finite element analyses are one of the best methods used to study
the effects accounted as the soil–structure interaction effects in different buildings.

1. Introduction
Soil structure interaction phenomena an interdisciplinary field that covers many other mediums related to structure such
as soil and structural mechanics, earthquake mechanics, materials and mechanics, other technical and diversified
disciplines. This phenomenon evolved, researched, and matured gradually in the decades of last of 19th century and
during the starting decades of 20th century. {Lou, 2011}

There is a lot of research and work have been on the dynamic SSI for different types of buildings and structures. The
interaction and its effects are worth to study in the massive structures and heavy buildings such as bridges, power plants,
dams, and tall structures. The soil structure interaction and its effects on buildings is very important. There are several
effects of SSI on building structures. As the soil that is used to surround the foundation experiences any minor to
moderate levels of nonlinen the Soil surface interaction led to absorb the energy significantly and the intensity of the
incident wave energy is reduced hence the energy provided to excite the structure. {Kausel, 2010}

External factors or disasters can deform the structure and ground that includes earthquake, wind, and blast. Ignorance of
the influence and factors associated with SSI can result to the faulty design and implementation of structures.

Therefore, A complete study of soil–structure interaction is required to check and analysed its effects in building. A
comprehensive information about the background of SSI and methods for analysis of SSI and its effects are crucial for the
innovation in the structural modifications. In building code requirements there is a very limited criteria for investigating
the effects related to soil structure interaction. The only reference is NEHRP provisions for investigation of the SSI effects
in the building and the structural responses in any risk.(Kumar and Mishra 2019)

The Shaking table test and finite element analyses are one of the best methods to study the effects accounted as the soil–
structure interaction effects in different buildings. These are the complex problem yet not been solved yet. There are
some laboratory tests that are performed on the structures on lab scale with certain risk and wave exposure. These tests
and the response to the waves by the soil as wave absorbance and impacts building structures is the key to way to analyse
the effects. {Wong, 1975}

2. Aim
The aim of this study to device a system for the analysis and assessment of the effects of SSI in buildings. To study the
effects of soil-structure interactions and the intensity or severity as well as factors associated with these effects in building
due to SSI.

3. Expected Outcomes
 The Soil structure interaction study and the possible associated effects in buildings.
 The effects on different buildings, severity of effects and the factors associated with the effects.
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4. Research Questions
 What is the Soil-structure interaction and how it can affect the buildings?
 What are the effects and severity of the effects and also associated factors with SSI and its effect in building?
 How the Building type differs the associated SSI effects in them?

5. Study Design/Approach
This study is focused on the analysis and determination of effects of SSI in buildings based on natural earthquake
frequency, effects of damping, acceleration, and displacement responses by using the shake table experiments for
buildings. The experiment will be carried out by considering different models of steel buildings with specific heights.
Furthermore, the dynamic characteristics of foundations such as fixed base, isolation, material, and piles of these models
will be determined. All the building frame models will be designed by using varying pile depths to understand the effects
due to different foundation depths The factors that are expected to influence and have damaging effects due to shaking of
the frame are the properties of surrounding soil, shape of structure, size and the material of the structure, also the
severity of the ground shaking and effects of soil structure interactions.

Identification
Study of Soil Selection of Data Analysis
of possible Development Lab scale Evaluation of
surface Building and
effects to of Building testing results
interaction structures Discussion
study models

6. Experimental
6.1 Materials
 Lab scale building model
 Soil structure interaction simulation
 Damping test

6.2 Instruments and Methods

 Lab Scale building model

1. Due to the limitation of the size of

the shake table in labo-
2. ratory, similitude laws have been
considered in designing
3. the prototype model. The method
establishing the simi-
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4. larity relationship between the

model and the prototype is
5. called dimensional analysis
method. Similitude formulas
6. and similitude factors of all physical
quantities are deduced
7. from Buckingham π theorem. The
size of the SSI models
8. was scaled from full-scale buildings
and foundations. Dur-
9. ing modeling, the distortion due to
dead and live loads was
10. ignored.
11. For the study, three types of
conventional moment-
12. resisting steel frame building
models were used as proto-
13. type superstructure of four, six, and
eight storeys. The frame
14. building models were assumed to be
a residential building
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15. with its plan dimension of 3m ×

3m. The heights of four-,
16. six-, and eight-storey frame models
were 1.2, 1.8, and 2.4m,
17. respectively, corresponding to 12,
18, and 24m heights of
18. actual building. The plan and
elevation of the test models
19. are shown in Fig.1. For the
prototype frame models mild
20. steel plates were used for floor slab
and Indian standard
21. angle section (IS 1989) ISA 25 ×
25 × 3 was used for the
The dimensional analysis method is used means the building prototype frame is used for the analysis. The full-size
buildings along with the foundation and other structural aspects will be scale down of the SSI analysis. During modelling,
the distortion due to dead and live loads will be ignored. For this study, four prototype steel frame buildings will be used
with varying heights that is four, six, eight and ten storeys. {Stewart, 1999}

 Soil structure interaction simulation

Properties of the used soil, soil condition simulation, instrumentation and setup for the model for soil structure interaction
analysis. The soil is a critical part to study and deal. The penetration resistance of soil will be analysed by the sampler with
no. of blows by hammer and the resulted effects of different type of soils related to the building will be analysed and
recorded. {Luco, 1988}

 Damping Test

Damping will be analysed and recorded by free vibration test as it is almost impossible to determine the damping effects
analytically for general structures. The log-decrement method is a common for the damping coefficient calculations. The
decrease or decay in amplitude waves over a definite cycle is helpful to estimate the effect of damping. {Clouteau, 2012}
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7 Data Analyses Methods

The results and discussion will be summarized by using the major outcomes obtained by the experimental analysis of the
frame models with the effects in buildings due to soil structure interaction. The building frames with 4 different heights
will be depicted in Tabular. The SSI effects will be analysed on piles, frames, and foundations of the buildings. The use of
these type of buildings and effects will be studied on the real scenarios. The graphical description as well as wave decree
behaviour will also be shown for better idea.

8 Limitations
There are a few limitations of some of these methods as given below,

 It is only possible for the lab scale testing

 The effects can be miss interpreted due to dye to scale approach
 The other factors related to the building can not be fully isolated in the in situation.

9 Timeline

Month, 2021
Activities
Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr
Design
Literature Review
Experimentation and
Analysis
Documentation of the
Findings and results
analysis
Thesis write up and
Presentation
Review of the Thesis
by Supervisor
Incorporation of the
Comments
Submission of Final
Thesis
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References
 Kumar, M. and S. S. Mishra (2019). "Study of seismic response characteristics of building frame models using shake
table test and considering soil–structure interaction." Asian Journal of Civil Engineering 20.

 Kausel, E., 2010. Early history of soil–structure interaction. Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering, 30(9),
pp.822-832.

 Wong, H.L., 1975. Dynamic soil-structure interaction.

 Clouteau, D., Broc, D., Devésa, G., Guyonvarh, V., & Massin, P. (2012). Calculation methods of Structure–
Soil–Structure Interaction (3SI) for embedded buildings: Application to NUPEC tests. Soil Dynamics and
Earthquake Engineering, 32(1), 129-142.

 Luco, J.E., Trifunac, M.D. and Wong, H.L., 1988. Isolation of soil‐structure interaction effects by full‐scale
forced vibration tests. Earthquake Engineering & Structural Dynamics, 16(1), pp.1-21.

 Stewart, J.P., Seed, R.B. and Fenves, G.L., 1999. Seismic soil-structure interaction in buildings. II: Empirical
findings. Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering, 125(1), pp.38-48.

 Menglin Lou, Huaifeng Wang, Xi Chen, Yongmei Zhai, Structure–soil–structure interaction: Literature review, Soil
Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering, Volume 31, Issue 12, 2011,