Evaluation of soil–structure interaction in structure models via shaking table test

Abstract

Modeling the soil–structure interaction (SSI) in seismic design involves the use of soil response curves for single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) structures; however, real structures have multiple degrees of freedom (MDOF). In this study, shaking-table-derived p-y curves for SDOF and MDOF superstructures were compared using numerical analysis. It was found that an MDOF structure experienced less displacement than an SDOF structure of the same weight, but the effect of increasing the DOF decreased at greater pile depths. Numerical analysis results estimated using the natural periods and mass participation rates of the structures were similar to those of shaking table tests. Abbreviations: finite element: FE; frequency response function: FRF; multiple degrees of freedom: MDOF; single degree of freedom: SDOF; soil–structure interaction: SSI.