Seismic Susceptibility of Soft Storey Structures: A Study Based on Infill Walls and Shear Walls

Abstract

Understanding the behaviour of structures during earthquake events is crucial to mitigate potential hazards and damages. In recent years, there has been a surge in the construction of mid and high-rise residential buildings, yet there is a lack of data to comprehend their seismic performance. This study aims to investigate the response of soft storey structures to earthquake ground motion, by developing analytical models and analysing their behaviour under different parameters. The study focuses on three models with a height of G+15 and examines the effects of various infill walls and shear walls at corners on the structures’ response. The study’s findings indicate that shear walls reduce storey shear and ensure minimal variation in displacements due to infill walls, while the presence of apertures significantly affects the static deformation characteristics of shear wall structures. The broad message is that the bare soft-storey frames are vulnerable in highly active seismic zones, and restoring stiffness at the ground level — whether through infill, shear walls, or both — is non-negotiable. The results presented in this article provide valuable insights on the seismic performance of soft storey structures and can be used to enlighten the design and construction practices.