Validation of a finite element modelling approach on soil-foundation-structure interaction of a multi-storey wall-frame structure under dynamic loadings

Abstract Validated numerical approaches are very important in dynamic studies of soil-structure interaction. Experimental outputs of physical models are required to validate the numerical approaches. Testing and analysis of an experimental scaled model is economical in comparison with investigating real size structures. However, a set of scale factors are required to model a full-scale structure accurately as a scaled model in a laboratory environment. In this paper, the scaling procedure and design of a scaled multi-storey concrete wall-frame structure with a scale factor of 1:50 are addressed. A specially selected dry sand with round shaped particles and specific grain size distribution was adopted in this study. A flexible soil container was designed and built to represent the soil boundary behaviour during time-history seismic excitations. The experimental investigations were divided into three different stages: fixed based structure without soil interaction; soil container without any structure; and, a structure with raft and pile foundations in the soil container. Finally, the same experimental stages were modelled numerically using a 3D finite element software. The results showed that the finite element simulations produced a good response when compared with the experimental results and these numerical models are suitable to be employed for further dynamic studies.