Dynamic interaction between adjacent buildings through nonlinear soil during earthquakes

This paper evaluates the effect of Structure-Soil-Structure Interaction (SSSI) between two buildings given different parameters of the buildings, inter-building spacing, and soil type. A two-dimensional simple discrete nonlinear model is proposed that is described by a set of nonlinear differential equations of motion. A nonlinear phenomenological Bouc-Wen model, for the soil directly underneath the foundations, linear rotational interaction spring between buildings and linear behaviour of buildings are assumed. The seismic ground motion employed is spectrally matched with EC8 elastic spectra. The results showed that there are both unfavourable and beneficial configurations of the two buildings that produce important differences between nonlinear SSSI and nonlinear SSI (the uncoupled building case). Importantly it is demonstrated that the adverse effects of SSSI can be more pronounced when the nonlinear soil behaviour is assumed.