Seismic Performance Evaluation of the Interaction between RC Buildings and Soil-Nailed Structures

The growing need for high-rise buildings and infrastructure has resulted in a scarcity of naturally available flat ground. As a solution, excavations are being carried out on hilly and sloped terrains to create habitable spaces. One effective approach includes stabilizing these vertical cuts or excavations using the soil nailing technique, allowing a viable option for constructing multistory buildings in the adjacent area. This study investigates the seismic performance of integrated systems in which a multistory building is connected to a soil-nailed structure, either at floor levels or with the shear wall functioning as a retaining wall. The responses of these two integrated systems, namely floor connection and shear wall systems, are examined using three-dimensional finite-elements models employing PLAXIS software (connect edition version 21), using the El Centro earthquake time history data for seismic analysis. A parametric study explores factors influencing the seismic stability of these integrated systems, by considering varying building heights. Key parameters considered include the length of soil nails and the rigidity of the raft foundation supporting the multistory building. The findings reveal that a nail length ratio of 1.3 significantly reduces seismic response in both integrated systems, making it an optimal choice for enhancing their seismic performance.