Special Topic: Seismic Soil Structure Interaction

The objective of this course is to provide postgraduate students and practicing engineers with the fundamental concepts and theory of seismic soil-structure interaction (SSI), with special focus on the analytical and numerical tools currently available to account for such problems in earthquake engineering practice. Although the course touches upon important details and aspects of the theory and modeling necessary for seismic problems, emphasis is on the basic concepts required to account for SSI in design and assessment. Both linear and nonlinear aspects of modeling will be covered. Topics: 1. Inertial interaction (system behaviour, impedance functions); 2. Kinematic interaction (slab averaging, embedment effects, piles foundations, use of transfer functions); 3. Models and methods of analysis (substructure and direct approaches; macroelement concept; critical comparison of different methods); 4. Accounting for SSI in the design of reinforced concrete bridges and wall buildings via force-based methods, displacement based methods, and response history analysis.