Building Stiffness Changes and Response to Excavation-Induced Ground Movements

The structural response of moment-resisting frame buildings adjacent to a deep excavation in soft to medium clays is presented. Results of 54 advanced numerical simulations of linear-elastic and nonlinear-inelastic buildings adjacent to a deep excavation were employed to derive a mathematical expression that includes building-soil-excavation interactions and post-yielding behavior of the structural members. The location of the building within the primary influence zone, the fundamental elastic period of the building, the structural aspect ratio, and the underlying settlement troughs are used to describe the vertical structural response of moment-resisting frame buildings. The structural response is hypothesized to be controlled by the internal redistribution of forces computed during the numerical analyses and parametric studies.