Seismic Performance-Based Design for Tall Buildings Considering Soil-Pile-Structure Interaction

Soil-Structure Interaction (SSI) plays a significant role in seismic response of the structures by altering the dynamic properties of the system and increasing the lateral deflection which, in turn, could change the performance level of structures. In this study, in order to experimentally investigate the influence of different types of foundations on SSI phenomena, a series of shaking table tests has been conducted considering four different cases, namely: (i) fixed-base structure representing the situation excluding the soil-structure interaction; (ii) structure supported by shallow foundation on soft soil; (iii) structure supported by floating pile foundation in soft soil, and (iv) structure supported by end-bearing pile foundation in soft soil. Benchmark earthquakes - including the 1995 Kobe, the 1994 Northridge, the 1968 Hachinohe, and the 1940 El Centro earthquakes - are adopted. Results indicate that presence and type of pile foundations change the dynamic characteristics and behaviour of the superstructure which should be considered in predicting the damage level of structural and non-structural elements.