A Simplified Transfer Matrix Method for Horizontal Seismic Response of Wall-Frame Structures Considering SSI

Abstract

Based on the double member model of wall-frame structure and the corresponding transfer matrix method, the concept of frequent impedance of rigid foundation is introduced so that SSI can be taken into account. This method is more convenient and efficient compared to finite element method because of fewer structural parameters and faster calculation speed. Necessary structure parameters include 7 parameters of each storey, geometry size and total mass of foundation and elastic parameters of site soil. Totally 39 examples were calculated for 13 values of foundation mass and 3 kinds of soil, which are compared to the result of fix bottom model of upper structure. Results show that SSI does not always deduce a decrease of seismic response. Sometimes SSI may increases structural displacement evidently. The simplified method would provide structure designers an efficient tool to understand seismic behavior of wall-frame structures with various foundation and site soil.