Influence of structure-soil-structure interaction on foundation behavior for two adjacent structures: Geo-centrifuge experiment

This paper illustrates the results of a series of seismic geotechnical centrifuge experiments to explore dynamic structure-soil-structure interaction (SSSI) of two structures (named S1 and S2) installed on ground surface. A dense homogeneous ground is prepared in an equivalent shear beam (ESB) container. Two structural models are designed to elicit soil-foundation-structure interaction (SFSI) with different masses, heights, and dynamic characteristics. Five experimental tests are carried out for: (1) two reference responses of the two structures and (2) the response of two structures closely located at three ranges of distance. It is found that differential settlements of both structures increase and the smaller structure (S2) inversely rotates out of the other (S1) when they interact with each other. S2 structure experiences less settlement and uplift when at a close distance to the S1 structure. Furthermore, the S1 structure, which is larger one, shows a larger rocking and a smaller sliding response due to the SSSI effects, while S2 structure tends to slide more than that in the reference test, which is illustrated by an increase in sliding response and rocking stiffness as well as a decrease in moment-to-shear ratio (M/H.L) of the S2 structure.