A Simplified Computation of the Interactive Behavior between Soils and Framed Structures

• Main Authors: Mosleh A. Al-Shamrani, Faisal A. Al-Mashary
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier 2003-01-01
• Series: Journal of King Saud University: Engineering Sciences
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1018363918307797

In common structural design practice, the foundation loads from structure analysis are obtained without allowance for soil settlements, and the foundation settlements are estimated under the assumption of a perfectly flexible structure. However, the stiffness of the structure influences the distribution of the load transferred to the foundation; and hence the settlements, and soil settlements affect the load distribution on the foundation and the stresses set up in the structure. This paper presents an efficient and simple procedure for the analysis of the interaction behavior of two-dimensional framed structures supported by spread footings founded on different soil profiles. The interactive behavior between soils and a variety of two-dimensional multi-bay framed structures was evaluated. Interaction between soil and structure has been found to significantly affect the estimated settlements, footing loads, and internal forces in the superstructure members. The footing loads were found to increase or decrease due to the consideration of the effect of soil-structure interaction. This comparably influenced the internal forces and stresses within the structure members. Keywords: Soil-structure interaction, soil settlements, differential settlements, computer program, structural analysis, load redistribution