Numerical study on reinforced vertical cuts integrated with RC buildings under the effects of ground motion

Abstract

Soil nailing is an effective method used for stabilizing excavations and natural ground slopes. In situations with space constraints due to rapid urbanization, the available space near the soil-nailed vertical cuts can be utilized to construct multi-storied buildings. However, the presence of a building in proximity to the retained soil mass may alter the seismic response of a nailed structure. The building can be either constructed at a distance, connected or attached to the soil-nailed structure depending on the space availability. This study evaluates the behavior of such an integrated soil-nailed, wall-building system under seismic excitations by employing finite element analysis. The seismic response of a nailed wall supporting a vertical cut of a height of 6m under different connectivity conditions with an adjacent multi-story RC building is analyzed. Parametric studies are conducted with various heights of a building and under different frequency content of seismic excitations. The performance of the integrated system is evaluated regarding displacement and the acceleration response of the soil-nailed wall, as well as tensile force mobilized in nails. The innovative concept of integration between the two structures yields better seismic stability of the nailed structure, as well as for optimum use of land in space-constrained grounds with vertical cuts. © Institute of Engineering Mechanics, China Earthquake Administration 2025.