Dynamic Response & Seismic Pounding of Adjacent Reinforced Structures

The study focuses on analyzing the seismic pounding phenomenon in adjacent reinforced concrete multistory buildings during earthquakes, addressing a significant yet often overlooked risk in urban construction. Seismic pounding occurs when buildings constructed too close to one another collide during ground shaking, leading to severe structural damage. Historical events, such as the Mexico earthquake (1985) and the Northridge earthquake (1994), have demonstrated that seismic pounding can cause extensive damage or even collapse. The limited separation distance between buildings in densely populated urban areas exacerbates this risk, as observed in seismic events in New Zealand, Japan, and Greece. The research aims to explore effective mitigation strategies, emphasizing the critical role of minimum separation distances and flexible materials that can absorb the impact. Furthermore, it critiques existing seismic design codes, such as Eurocode 8, which inadequately address structural pounding.