A comprehensive investigation into the effect of vertical component of ground motion on response of sliding unanchored blocks

This study aims to quantify the effect of the vertical component of ground motion on the seismic response of sliding rigid blocks, in terms of maximum and residual displacements. A multi-stripe analysis approach is employed to examine the response with and without the vertical component under various levels of ground motion intensity. First, a parametric study is conducted using a Coulomb friction model with a constant coefficient of friction that does not account for any dependence of the friction coefficient on velocity or pressure. It is shown that the effect of the vertical component on maximum and residual displacement is more pronounced for ground motions that can barely initiate sliding. Moreover, the influence of the vertical component on the residual sliding displacement is higher than that on the maximum displacement. Subsequently, to account for the friction coefficient dependence on pressure and sliding velocity, two interface cases (steel-steel, and concrete-concrete) are analyzed. It is found that even when a variable coefficient of friction is used, the overall trends observed for a constant coefficient of friction do not change. • The influence of the vertical component of the excitation on the sliding response of rigid blocks is studied. • Non only maximum, but residual displacements are studied as well. • The problem is studied under both constant and pressure- and velocity-dependent coefficient of friction.