Effect of soil-structure interaction on along-wind response of tall RC chimneys

Abstract

A parametric study has been carried out on tall reinforced concrete industrial chimneys to evaluate the effect of soil-structure interaction on the along-wind response of the structure. Three dimensional fi nite element model of the integrated chimney-raft-soil system under self-weight and wind load has been analysed to estimate the contact pressure distribution and variation of stress resultants in the annular raft. The bending moments in the raft foundation obtained from the soil-structure interaction analysis are compared with those computed assuming the chimney to be fi xed on a rigid foundation. The analysis of results on the effect of fl exibility of supporting soil reveals a considerable reduction in the bending moments in the annular raft foundation.