Influence of the Shape of Reinforced Concrete Buildings on Soil-Structure Interaction

The aim of this paper is to study the effect of the plan shape of reinforced concrete buildings on the soil-structure interaction mechanism.To this end, two finite element models are developed using the SAP2000 program: (i) a three-dimensional model with a square floor plan and (ii) a three-dimensional model with a rectangular floor plan.Indisplaceable supports and spring supports were used for the analysis.The results of the square plan model are similar to those of the rectangular plan model, i.e. when soil-structure interaction is taken into account, there is a redistribution of forces in the structural elements.The peripheral columns showed an increase in stress, while the central columns showed a reduction in stress.There was an increase in positive moments in the spans and negative moments in the peripheral supports of the central beam at ground level.In other words, if the structural design does not take into account settlements (in the case of a design without soil-structure interaction), the settlements, by producing a bending moment diagram that is different from the one predicted, can lead to localized plasticization in the beams.It is worth noting that for the rectangular floor plan, which has higher differential settlement values, the effect of soil-structure interaction is even more relevant in the design, not only of the foundations, but also of the structure.