Parametric Study of Settlement in Shallow Foundations of Adjacent Buildings on Sandy Soil: A Finite Element Parametric Study

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Civil Engineering, Noswhahr Branch, Islamic Azad University, Nowshahr, Iran

2 Geotechnical Engineering Research Center, International Institute of Earthquake Engineering and Seismology (IIEES), Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Urban densification and limited availability of suitable land often necessitate the construction of high-rise buildings in close proximity. Such developments can lead to seismic-induced settlements not only beneath the new structures but also in neighboring existing buildings. This study employs a finite element approach using PLAXIS to evaluate the settlement interaction of adjacent shallow foundations on sandy soils under seismic loading. A parametric investigation was conducted to assess the effects of building height (number of stories), foundation width, and spacing between adjacent buildings. Results indicate that the spacing between buildings is the most influential parameter in controlling induced settlement in existing structures, followed by the number of stories of the newly constructed building. In contrast, foundation width showed only a marginal impact on induced settlement. The findings emphasize the importance of soil–structure interaction in urban environments and provide practical insights for mitigating seismic risks and ensuring the safety of adjacent structures.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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Civil Engineering and Applied Solutions
Volume 2, Issue 3
July 2026
Pages 73-84

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History

  • Receive Date: 04 November 2025
  • Revise Date: 26 December 2025
  • Accept Date: 06 February 2026
  • First Publish Date: 06 February 2026

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