Shaking table test of RC frame structures supported by different elevation grounds with horizontal embedding members

Whether horizontal embedding members should be suggested to be set for the structures supported by different elevation grounds or not is a controversial issue in actual design. On the assumption of rock ground, two 6-floor and 1/8-scaled RC frame structure models supported by different elevation grounds were designed with or without horizontal embedding members, respectively, and the shaking table tests were carried out. The test phenomena, natural frequency, mode curve of vibration, damping ratio, seismic acceleration response, displacement response and torsional response were comparatively analysed. The results show that the horizontal embedding members may enhance the stiffness of structure along the slope direction and in the cross-slope direction, and they may remarkably change the mode curves of vibration. The seismic acceleration response of the floor with horizontal embedding members is under restriction and the amplification factors of acceleration at the adjacent lower floor increases with the increase of earthquake intensity. The deformation rules of the two models along the slope direction and in the cross-slope direction are different, and the horizontal embedding members may greatly reduce the overall torsional response of the building structure. Generally, the overall failure degree of the model with horizontal embedding members is lower without remarkable transfer of damage. © 2020, Editorial Office of China Civil Engineering Journal. All right reserved.