Seismic response of a cliff-attached structure based on soil-structure interaction effect

Cliff-attached constructions denote structures that align with and directly attach to the vertical interface of a mountain cliff. Cliff-attached constructions, compared to conventional building structures, become particularly complex when considering the interaction between soil and structure due to the unequal height of the grounded foundation, which requires deeper studies. This study investigates the influence of variable parameters in soil-structure interaction (SSI) on the seismic performance of such structures, based on which three different models of cliff-attached structures were established for analysis,naming,the cliff-attached structure without SSI effects,the model with traditional SSI effects,and the model with variable-parameter SSI effects. Seismic inputs are assessed in both transverse and down slope directions. The results indicate that the seismic response of cliff-attached structures increases as shear wave velocity decreases while considering SSI effects. SSI effects are most pronounced on the upper grounding layers of the structure and its upper layers' dynamic response. Seismic responses in the down slope direction are markedly lower than those in the transverse direction. In the transverse direction，cliff-attached structures display pronounced torsional effects, resulting in a torsional effect roughly 1.4 times greater at a shear wave velocity of 100 m/s than at 700 m/s. The upper grounding layers of cliff-attached structures experience significant deformation and stress concentration. Considering variable-parameter SSI effects in mountainous regions results in more accurate and reliable seismic responses for cliff-attached structures.