• Shivam Ghundare
• Prof. Vishwajeet Kadlag

The seismic performance of structures is critically influenced by Soil-Structure Interaction (SSI), yet a significant knowledge gap persists regarding the effects of complex, multi-layered soil profiles commonly found in practice. This research addresses this gap through a series of controlled 1g scale model shake table tests. The experimental program utilized a flexible wall barrel container designed to mimic free-field soil response, a single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) model structure representing a mid-rise building, and several meticulously prepared soil configurations. These configurations included homogeneous profiles of sand and clay, as well as multi-layered profiles combining sand, silt, and clay. The results demonstrate that soil layering is a first-order effect in SSI. Multi-layered soil profiles, particularly those with a stiff sand layer overlying a soft clay layer, exhibited a significant amplification of structural acceleration and a substantial increase in foundation settlement when compared to the homogeneous soil profiles. For instance, peak foundation settlement in a sand-over-clay profile was more than double that observed in a sand-only profile under the same seismic input. These findings carry a critical practical implication: simplified, single-layer soil models, often used in preliminary design, are insufficient and potentially unconservative for accurately predicting seismic demands on structures located at geologically complex sites. This underscores the necessity of detailed geotechnical characterization and appropriate modeling of soil stratification in seismic design.

Soil-Structure Interaction (SSI), Shake Table Testing, Layered Soil, Seismic Response, Ground Motion Amplification, Foundation Settlement, Laminar Shear Box

"AN EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION INTO THE EFFECTS OF SOIL LAYERING ON SEISMIC SOIL-STRUCTURE INTERACTION", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.12, Issue 10, page no.d376-d383, October-2025, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2510352.pdf

"AN EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION INTO THE EFFECTS OF SOIL LAYERING ON SEISMIC SOIL-STRUCTURE INTERACTION", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.12, Issue 10, page no. ppd376-d383, October-2025, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2510352.pdf