Dynamic response of structures subjected to pounding and structure–soil–structure interaction

During strong earthquakes, adjacent structures with non-sufficient clear distances collide with each other. In addition to such a pounding, cross interaction of adjacent structures through soil can exchange the vibration energy between buildings and make the problem even more complex. In this paper, effects of both of the mentioned phenomena on the inelastic response of selected steel structures are studied. Number of stories varied between 3 and 12 and different clear distances up to the seismic codes prescribed value are considered. The pounding element is modeled within Opensees. A coupled model of springs and dashpots is utilized for through-the-soil interaction of the adjacent structures, for two types of soft soils. The pounding force, relative displacements of stories, story shears, and plastic hinge rotations are compared for different conditions as the maximum responses averaged between seven consistent earthquakes. As a result, simultaneous effects of pounding and structure–soil–structure interaction are discussed. •Many cases of adjacent buildings are modeled considering SSI and SSSI.•Almost no pounding occurs at the code׳s clear distance.•Pounding increases shears, displacements, and hinge rotation of taller building.•Considering both SSI and SSSI often has an increasing effect on the pounding force.•SSSI increases plastic hinge rotation of the beams and columns of the first story.