EFFECT OF FOUNDATION GIRDER STIFFNESS ON PILE RESPONSE DURING EARTHQUAKE

Abstract

Centrifuge model tests were performed to investigate an effect of foundation girder stiffness on the dynamic characteristics of pile-supported buildings. The results show that the response of a building is influenced by the stiffness of girders. If the girder stiffness is not rigid, the response of a structure and corner piles are less than that of the rigid girder case. An analysis was carried out to simulate the result of a centrifuge model test. In the analysis, a three-dimensional frame model was used. A comparison between experimental and analytical results shows a possibility that this numerical model can be capable of considering the stiffness of girders, and also the soil-pile dynamic interaction effect.