Evaluation of seismic response and reduction measure during near-source ground motions

This study addresses the relationship between the characteristics of Kobe near-source ground motions and the pounding behaviour of two multi-storey buildings linked by two pedestrian bridges. The influence of soil-structure interaction on the effectiveness of viscous dampers and friction devices at the pedestrian bridge-building locations is considered. The considered friction device consists of a steel spring with additional friction element. It is assumed that the soil stiffness is frequency-independent. The nonlinear analysis is performed in the time domain using a finite element method. The considered earthquake is 1995 Kobe earthquake recorded at 22 stations. The reduction of the displacements and the pounding forces between the two adjacent buildings are investigated. The result reveals that by connecting the adjacent buildings with viscous and friction dampers pounding responses between the pedestrian bridges and the buildings can be controlled.