3D Methods for Examining Soil–Building Interaction for Nonlinear Soil Behavior Based on an Input Wave Field

Abstract

This paper proposes three-dimensional (3D) simplified nonlinear methods for examining the soil–building interaction for nonlinear behavior of soils based on an input seismic wave field. A seismic wave field is defined as seismic waves propagating in a 3D medium. The proposed 3D methods were developed on the basis of the 3D linear method, which was recently proposed to adequately treat seismic surface waves trapped by a several-kilometer-deep underground structure. To demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed methods, interaction analyses of a midrise RC building and a wood building were performed in the reclaimed zone of Tokyo Bay in the cases of soils with linear, nonlinear, and liquefaction behavior for the 1923 Kanto earthquake. These interaction analyses provide a reasonable evaluation of building performance. In particular, building responses became excessively large, following extremely large increases in the amplitudes of surface waves in liquefied soils. The building responses provide significant clues for interpreting a typical damage pattern in which Japanese RC building damage is concentrated on the first story.