Analysis of structural pounding between adjacent RC frames

Seismic damage investigations of main cities of the world have indicated that structural pounding is one main factors leading to severe damage even collapse of building during earthquakes. There are many adjacent buildings in the cities, especially in central business districts, because of the scarcity of land, the seismic gap can not be ensured between adjacent buildings. These structures are prone to damage during earthquake. A two bay, seven-story frame is designed and seismic gap is set between adjacent seven-story frames according to the China code for seismic design of buildings. The finite element software, SAP2000 is used to stimulate the severe adjacent building pounding during earthquake via changing the seismic gap. The results indicated that pounding occurred quickly and frequently. The large acceleration and pounding force pulse happened between adjacent floors. The seismic responses of flexible structure are amplified by the collision. Collision of rigid structure is more harmful than that of flexible structure.