In the past, valuable research has been conducted by various researchers to determine the effects of surface settlements on existing buildings and the limiting values of slope of the settlement trough [1,2,3,4,5,6,7]. However, these studies were mainly concentrated on the structural integrity and damage levels of the buildings under static conditions after tunnel excavations. Also the data presented and the limiting values proposed were mostly related to masonry type structures.

In this study, the decrease in the seismic capacity of medium rise concrete frame buildings is investigated through a two stage calculation procedure. First, the settlement trough shape is calculated by an empirical method and then these settlements are applied to the finite element model of the building. Pushover analyses have been performed on the structure both for settled and unsettled cases.

The results of the study indicate that when the maximum settlement exceeds 50.0mm, the buildings within the settlement trough may have a seismic capacity reduction of 5 to 15% depending on the location of the building and the magnitude of the maximum settlement. However, for settlements less than 50.0mm the reduction in the seismic base shear capacity will be limited to 5%.

1

D.E. Polshin, R.A. Tokar, "Maximum Allowable Non-uniform Settlement of Structures", 4th Int. Conf. on Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering 1, 402-405, 1957.

2

H.E. Wahls, "Tolerable settlement of buildings", Journal of the Geotechnical Engineering, 107, GT11, 1489-1504, 1980.

3

M. Son, E.J. Cording, "Estimation of building damage due to excavation-induced ground Movements", Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental, 131(2), 62-177, 2005. doi:10.1061/(ASCE)1090-0241(2005)131:2(162)

4

M. Son, E.J. Cording, "Estimation of building stiffness for building response analysis to excavation-induced ground movements", Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering, 133(8), 995-1002, 2007. doi:10.1061/(ASCE)1090-0241(2007)133:8(995)

5

S.J. Boone, "Ground movement related building damage", Journal of Geotechnical Engineering, 122(11), 886-896, 1996. doi:10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9410(1996)122:11(886)

6

S.J. Boone, "Assessing construction and settlement-induced building damage: a return to fundamental principles", Underground Construction, Institution of Mining and Metalurgy, London, 559-570, 2001.

7

W.J. Rankin, "Ground movements resulting from urban tunnelling: Predictions and Effects", Engineering Geology of Underground Movements, Geological Society Engineering Geology Special Publication, 5, 79-92, A.B., 1988. doi:10.1144/GSL.ENG.1988.005.01.06

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