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U.S. Department of Energy
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Soil effects on building earthquake response

Thesis/Dissertation ·
OSTI ID:5163251

The purpose of this study is to develop soil and intensity-dependent, nonlinear design spectra for building structures. To construct these spectra, 16 earthquake records from rock sites were normalized with respect to maximum ground acceleration, and corresponding acceleration histories were calculated at different bedrock-soil interfaces and analytically filtered through soils of various types. The resulting surface-response histories were used to construct nonlinear design-response spectra, (average and average plus one standard deviation) for all 16 records. The representation of the rock-soil system considers elastic rock behavior. Soil behavior is idealized using a series of lumped masses connected by nonlinear shear springs. The structures themselves were assumed to be single-degree-of-freedom, elasto-plastic systems. A total of 18 cases were studied, derived from combinations of 3 earthquake intensities, 2 soil types, and 3 soil depths. Results are presented in the form of recommended inelastic design response spectra for different soil types and overall building displacement ductility factors.

Research Organization:
Texas Univ., Austin (USA)
OSTI ID:
5163251
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English