Sustainable Seismic Performance Evaluation of G+15 RCC High-Rise Building on Varying Soil Conditions Using ETABS

This study investigates the seismic performance of a G+15 Reinforced Concrete (RCC) high-rise building situated on varying soil types—hard, medium, and soft—across seismic zones II, III, IV, and V in India. Employing ETABS software and IS codes (IS 1893:2016, IS 875:1987/2015, IS 456:2000), the seismic responses analysed include storey drift, displacement, base shear, storey shear, and period. The analysis reveals that seismic parameters are significantly influenced by both soil type and seismic zone, with softer soils exhibiting increased seismic demand. The study underscores the importance of soil classification in earthquake-resistant design and proposes optimised structural solutions to maintain performance within permissible limits. Major Findings: Studies reveal that when considering Soil–Structure Interaction (SSI), softer soil significantly increases inter‑story drift and fundamental period, reducing overall lateral stiffness and requiring tailored design strategies for high‑rise RCC buildings to maintain resilience. Dynamic ETABS models of G+15 (or similar) RCC frames show that base shear and story displacements worsen on soft soils, while medium to firm soils yield more stable seismic performance, emphasising the need for soil-specific foundation design to boost sustainability. Incorporating soil conditions via SSI in ETABS simulations is crucial—softer soils amplify drift and vibration in G+15 RCC towers, demanding reinforced design measures for sustainable seismic resilience.