Effect of Embedment on Foundation‐Soil IMPEDANCES

Abstract

A 10‐ft square, one‐story model structure was subjected to horizontally incident SH‐waves to determine the effect of foundation embedment on the response. Structural and foundation‐soil impedances were calculated from the fundamental resonant frequency and mode shape. The resulting impedance values and embedment factors were then compared to theoretical values. The translatory and rocking impedances for the unembedded case were found to be in agreement with values obtained from analytical formulations. However, the experimentally obtained embedment factors were generally much larger than predicted by theory.