Evaluating the Influence of Soil-Structure Interaction on Seismic Response of Commercial Structures in Ecuador

Ecuador is a country with a high seismic threat due to its location within the Pacific Ring of Fire and the presence of soft soils in certain areas.Generally, an infinitely rigid base is assumed in structural modelling, however this consideration does not always provide reliable results even though many guidelines recommend the assessment of soil-structure interaction (SSI) in the design process.Therefore, this research work aims to recognize the influence of SSI on the seismic response of structures through a parametric study in the design process using the NIST methodology.For the commercial building in consideration, this study showed a general increment in design parameters as soil quality dwindled and seismic hazard worsened.The results provide an opportunity to optimize the design and enhance the safety of the structure.