Seismic Design of Soil-Structure Interaction Systems

A method to evaluate the maximum flexural response of a soil-structure system when subjected to seismic excitation is presented. The flexible foundation medium is assumed to be represented by a homogeneous, isotropic, elastic half space whose dynamic properties can be characterized by stiffness and associated damping constants. The structure is an elastic single-story building situated on the surface of the foundation medium. Investigation into the response of numerous soil-structure systems leads to a set of design curves. When used in conjunction with the appropriate seismic response spectra these curves permit the maximum flexural response of the soil-structure system to be determined with relative ease. The maximum flexural response may be increased or decreased when compared to the response of the same structure on a rigid foundation.