Code-based study of pounding prevention between adjacent buildings

Earthquake induced pounding between adjacent buildings could be the source of different architectural and structural damages. A minimum distance is required in references, including seismic design codes. These differences motivate an investigation to evaluate the accuracy of each criterion. In this research, the criteria mandated by modern seismic design codes are evaluated based on the separation distances predicted by nonlinear time history analyses. The study is carried out on steel and concrete buildings with different story numbers and lateral systems. A set of 7 far and 7 near – fault records compatible with the design spectrum provided in the seismic design code of Iran (Standard No. 2800 – 4th ed.) were used in the analyses. The separation distances are obtained based on SRSS and ABS compared to the criteria mandated by IBC-2009, Euro Code 8, Standard No. 2800, and NBCC 2005. Based on the results, since the ABS method results are larger than SRSS, the criterion in standard No.2800 should be reformed. It is also indicated that the criteria should be different for far and near – fault earthquakes. For moment frames, SRSS in far fault earthquakes and ABS in near fault earthquakes are suggested. For braced frames, however, a separation distance larger than or equal to one percent of the height is required in both the far fault and near fault earthquakes.