Numerical Study of the Seismic Response of an Instrumented Building with Underground Stories

Engineering practitioners do not usually include soil-structure interactions in building design; rather, it is common to model and design foundations as embedded joints with joint–based reactions. In some cases, foundation structures are modeled rigid bodies, embedding the first story into lower vertical elements. Given that effects of underground floors on seismic response generally included current provisions, has been little explored literature. This work compares analyzes models study different stories modeling approaches using earthquake vibration data recorded for 16–story Alcazar office downtown Viña del Mar (Chile). The expands beyond an structure soil equivalent springs, representing interaction (SSI), varying homogeneity. was a finite element software considering only dead load static case because remained framing stage when monitoring system operating. instruments registered 72 aftershocks from 2010 Maule Earthquake, this focused 11 hypocenters magnitudes collect representative information. comparisons between empirical records showed better fit real consider SSI horizontal springs attached retaining walls stories. addition, observed applying stiffness reduction factor 0.7 all elements deformation verification average-height buildings suitable analyze behavior under small earthquakes; results obtained level than street level; use Kuesel’s traction analysis yields appropriate results; necessary carefully select spring constants be used, paying special attention springs. Even though presented herein indicate simulate base slab can result major differences concerning response, obtain more instrumentation across wider variety continue evaluate practices. Similarly, further analyses, including nonlinear time-history high-intensity events, needed best regulate design.