A simplified method for determining the acceleration amplitudes of long-span floor system under walking/running loads

Liang Cao , Y. Frank Chen

Abstract

Modern long-span floor system typically possesses low damping and low natural frequency, presenting a potential vibration sensitivity problem induced by human activities. Field test and numerical analysis methods are available to study this kind of problems, but would be inconvenient for design engineers. This paper proposes a simplified method to determine the acceleration amplitudes of long-span floor system subjected to walking or running load, which can be carried out manually. To theoretically analyze the acceleration response, the floor system is simplified as an anisotropic rectangular plate and the mode decomposition method is used. To facilitate the calculation of acceleration amplitude aP, a coefficient ɑwmn or ɑRmn is introduced, with the former depending on the geometry and support condition of floor system and the latter on the contact duration tR and natural frequency. The proposed simplified method is easy for practical use and gives safe structural designs.

Key Words

human activities, vibration serviceability, long-span floor, mode decomposition method, simplified analytical method

Address

Liang Cao — 1. School of Civil Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China; 2. Key Laboratory of New Technology for Construction of Cities in Mountain Area (Chongqing University), Ministry of Education, Chongqing 400045, China
Y. Frank Chen — 1. School of Civil Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China; 2. Department of Civil Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, Middletown, PA, USA

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