Seismic response of rigid shallow footings

This chapter concerns the seismic design of shallow footings and, more specifically, a critical analysis of the soil-structure interaction problem. To highlight the non-linear mechanical response of shallow footings, several experimental test results are reviewed and the so-called “macro-element theory” is introduced as a promising interpretative and simulation tool. Various macro-element approaches are discussed and their employment for seismic design is exemplified by means of some engineering applications.