Three-Dimensional Seismic Nonlinear Analysis of Topography–Structure–Soil–Structure Interaction for Buildings near Slopes

Abstract

It is essential to know the topography–soil–structure interaction (TSSI) for buildings adjacent to slopes. In the present study, the seismic response prediction of two midrise buildings located in the vicinity of slopes was evaluated using 3D numerical simulations to examine the effects of topography–structure–soil–structure interaction (TSSSI). The performance of the slope topography without any buildings and responses of a single building (TSSI cases) near the crest was also simulated. This study includes nonlinearity in both soils (through the elastoplastic hysteretic constitutive model with anisotropic hardening, the HSS model) and buildings (using the inelastic hinges). The effects of parameters such as the slope geometry (angle and height), soil type, and the distance of two adjacent buildings were considered based on the average of seven earthquake records. Results showed that in TSSSI cases, displacements, and shear forces varied greatly in the lower stories compared with the TSSI and soil–structure interaction (SSI) models. Besides, the neighboring impacts must be taken into consideration for a distance between buildings less than the foundation’s dimensions in the same plane.