Numerical Insights Into Seismic Performance Of Low-Rise Buildings With Basements

Recent studies have shown that numerical models of buildings subjected to earthquakes, reasonably matched observed performance of buildings in centrifuge testing, particularly if the foundations of the structure are placed on or close to the ground surface. Very little has been studied on the influence of basement levels on the seismic response of structures. Seismic response of buildings is highly influenced by substructures. Ignoring their presence in numerical models would lead to inaccurate predictions of the seismic response of low-rise buildings. Numerical simulations using the UBC3D-PLM model were performed in hypothetical low-rise buildings with and without basement levels, when subjected to different earthquakes. The numerical simulations suggested that the inclusion of a basement level positively influenced the seismic performance of a building and conclusions are drawn about the seismic-induced settlements, maximum building drifts, and peak story accelerations