Seismic response and interaction of multiple building blocks rising above the same foundation layer, rigid basement or podium stories

In the design of building blocks on a common podium, the seismic response of each block becomes critical. The interaction of building blocks rising above the same foundation layer, basement or podium stories has not been examined thoroughly, and there have been only a few research studies which compare different model parameters using linear response analyses. This study aims to investigate the seismic behavior of a structural system comprised of two building blocks having different dynamic characteristics for different scenarios. These scenarios involve seismic analysis of separated building blocks with expansion joints and integrated building blocks rising above common foundation, basement or podium stories. The dynamic interaction of the building blocks is examined under the effect of DD-2 earthquake ground motion level. This in-depth comparison of the interaction behavior of the building blocks is made through Mode Combination Analysis (MCA) and Linear Modal Response History Analysis (LMRHA) methods. Bending moment and shear force demands of core wall system, storey shear forces and story drift ratio profiles are obtained under seismic loading and variations in responses are compared. Thus, the dynamic interaction among buildings with different heights is assessed so as to improve the design principles for such advanced and complex structures. As a conclusion of this study, it is observed that when multiple blocks with different dynamic characteristics rising above the common podium, shear force and bending moment demands increases as a result of the dynamic interaction. Such increase in shear force and bending moment demands is not observed for the building blocks sharing only common basement or foundation.