Perspectives and conclusions

Soil-structure interaction reflects the engineer's desire to take better account of the effects observed on structures following seismic events.

However, these effects are complex because they are the result of mechanical phenomena inherent in the coupling between the soil and the structure, both of which offer specific dynamic responses to seismic stress.

What's more, foundations form the interface between soil and structure, adding another level of interaction. Strictly speaking, we should even be talking about soil-foundation-structure interaction.

In order to be able to quantify these effects for engineering purposes, the subject has been divided arbitrarily, but appropriately, into two themes: inertial effects and kinematic effects.

As presented in this article, the structure and its...