Soil-structure interaction effects on an instrumented building

The paper highlights the use of FEM and bi-directional lumped-mass-storey-stiffness numerical models for the study of the soil-structure interaction (ssi) effects on an instrumented building. Data on the structural response have been obtained through the project for seismic instrumentation of a 16-storey r/c cast-in-place dwelling building (Chisinau, Republic of Moldova) during a series of earthquakes (Gutenberg-Richter M (GR) = 5.0-6.7). The effect of soil-structure interaction is clearly observed comparing the responses recorded on foundation and free-field. ssi becomes more pronounced for higher level of ground shaking amplifying the natural period of the structure and slightly suppressing high frequences on the foundation in comparison with the free-field motion.