Novel seismic design solution for underground structures. Case study of a 2-story 3-bay subway station

This paper proposes an innovative seismic design approach for shallow rectangular cut-and-cover underground subway or railway stations. The traditional is to rigid frame-like structures by connecting rigidly the main horizontal and vertical structural elements (side walls, top, bottom intermediate slabs, central columns); on contrary, proposed strategy consists of joining them means hinged sliding connections, in order obtain whose lateral stiffness almost zero. objective this be able adapt transverse racking motion imposed ground without significantly increasing internal forces members. aforementioned flexibility joints achieved interposing rubber bearings between connected elements. As a case study, existing 2-story 3-bay station located Southwest China redesigned with technology; its performance numerically investigated performing nonlinear dynamic analyses number input motions (accelerograms) representing site seismicity. Such inputs are scaled fit PGAs ranging from 0.1 0.6 g. expected, results time-history reveal that damage members alleviated sliding-hinged alternative solution. conclusion can understood as preliminary confirmation satisfactory technology.