Assessment of the floor response spectra due to pounding between adjacent structures during earthquakes: An alternative approach to study local amplifications

The capability of safety structures, systems and devices to withstand dynamic loadings (earthquakes, impacts, pounding, falling heavy objects, etc.) is part the design basis nuclear power plants or facilities. In order ensure their correct design, it necessary assess, beforehand, admissible load. However, validity Response Spectrum Analysis (RSA) largely used in community can be legitimately questioned since does not account for local high phenomena strongly dependent on choice parameters get a satisfactory assessment calculation results. this paper, reliability RSA case pounding loading studied. An alternative approach describe between two adjacent structures during earthquakes proposed, assess floor response spectra (FRS) with reasonable computation time. demand then computed at bottom device located level, from step-by-step by performing RSA. earthquake induced assessed comparison these To perform calculations, impact forces are firstly using linear beam models same modal characteristics as ones building under study. Then, applied three-dimensional mesh first structure made shell finite elements. results highlight propagation shock waves underline amplifications FRS edges floors. given shows that error related decreases when considered. It turns out leads higher horizontal displacements reduces rotations level. Its amplitude increases damping low, especially frequency range. With an less than 10%, method may regarded acceptable multi-storey buildings.