Dynamic soil–structure interaction effects on the seismic response of asymmetric buildings

An approach is formulated for the linear analysis of three-dimensional dynamic soil–structure interaction of asymmetric buildings in the time domain, in order to evaluate the seismic response behaviour of torsionally coupled buildings. The asymmetric building is idealized as a single-storey three-dimensional system resting on different soil conditions. The soil beneath the superstructure is modeled as linear elastic solid elements. The contact surface between foundation mat and solid elements of soil is discretised by linear plane interface elements with zero thickness. An interface element is further developed to function between the rigid foundation and soil. As an example, the response of soil–structure interaction of torsionally coupled system under two simultaneous lateral components of El Centro 1940 earthquake records has been evaluated and the effects of base flexibility on the response behaviour of the system are verified.