Effect of height ratio and mass ratio on structure-soil-structure interaction of two structures using centrifugal experiment

Abstract

In a megacity, structure response during an earthquake could be increased or decreased due to effects from neighboring structures, through structure-soil-structure interaction (SSSI). In the present study, a series of dynamic geotechnical centrifuge tests are carried out to investigate SSSI effects on responses of structure with various characteristics of mass, height, and natural frequency. Experimental observations are focused on the effects of the distance between two structures, type, and peak acceleration of input excitation. A period lengthening is observed in the soil-foundationstructure interaction (SFSI) effects of all structures. It is monitored that an increment in response of smaller structure and a decrement in response of larger structure, compared to isolated structure, due to SSSI effects. Unfavorable distance reveals that the most significant increment in response of S2 structure occurred at approximately one-fourth of wavelength transmitted from the vibrating adjacent structure. More severe SSSI effects are found under a lower input earthquake acceleration. It is found that both height and mass ratios, between two adjacent structures, are particular parameters on SSSI, resulting in increment or reduction of structure response.