Comparisons between ambient and forced vibration experiments

The ambient and forced vibration techniques for testing full-scale structures are critically compared. Both methods, based on small level excitation, may be used to determine many mode shapes and frequencies of vibration and the corresponding damping values, with adequate accuracy for most purposes. The two techniques give mutually consistent results. The mode amplitudes determined by ambient and forced vibration tests show systematic departure for high modes and near the top levels of buildings tested. This phenomenon is attributed to the participation of all mode shapes and is a consequence of excitation by a concentrated force near the top of a building and at a frequency differing by only a few per cent from a natural frequency of vibrations. A new way of showing the effect of unwanted modes on the response near resonance of the mode being sought is developed. It is particularly useful for the analysis of steady, forced vibration tests of structures using eccentric mass vibration generators.     

Dynamic characteristics of a base isolated building from ambient vibration measurements and low level earthquake shaking

Ambient vibration tests were conducted on a base-isolated apartment building in Takamatsu, Japan, to determine the mode shapes and the associated natural frequencies and damping ratios at very low levels of excitation. The latest developments in signal analysis for modal decomposition are used to analyze the ambient response data. A finite element model of the building and isolators was calibrated and refined using the experimental results from the ambient vibration tests. This model was then used to simulate the recorded response of the building under excitation from a small earthquake. The finite element model, calibrated by ambient vibration data and the low level of earthquake shaking, provides the starting point for modelling the non-linear response of the building when subjected to strong shaking.     

Parameter identification of framed structures using an improved finite element model‐updating method—Part II: application to experimental data

In this study, we determine an updated finite element model of a reinforced concrete building—which was damaged from shaking during 1994 Northridge earthquake—using forced‐vibration test data and a novel model‐updating technique. Developed and verified in the companion paper (viz. BVLSrc, Earthquake Eng. Struct. Dyn. 2006; this issue), this iterative technique incorporates novel sensitivity‐based relative constraints to avoid ill conditioning that results from spatial incompleteness of measured data. We used frequency response functions and natural frequencies as input for the model‐updating problem. These data were extracted from measurements obtained during a white‐noise excitation applied at the roof of the building using a linear inertial shaker. Flexural stiffness values of properly grouped structural members, modal damping ratios, and translational and rotational mass values were chosen as the updating parameters, so that the converged results had direct physical interpretations, and thus, comparisons with common parameters used in seismic design and evaluation of buildings could be made. We investigated the veracity of the updated finite element model by comparing the predicted and measured dynamic responses under a second, and different type of forced (sine‐sweep) vibration, test. These results indicate that the updated model replicates the dynamic behaviour of the building reasonably well. Furthermore, the updated stiffness factors appear to be well correlated with the observed building damage patterns (i.e. their location and severity). Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Identification of the Hualien soil-structure interaction system

This article demonstrates how system identification techniques can be successfully applied to a soil-structure interaction system in conjunction with the results of the forced vibration tests on the Hualien large-scale seismic test structure which was recently built in Taiwan for an international joint research. The parameters identified are the shear moduli of several near-field soil regions as well as Young's moduli of the shell sections of the structure. The soil-structure interaction system is represented by the finite element method combined with infinite element formulation for the unbounded layered soil medium. Preliminary investigations are carried out on the results of the static stress analysis for the soil medium and the results of the in-situ tests to divide the soil-structure system into several regions with homogeneous properties and to determine the lower and upper bounds of the parameters for the purpose of identification. Then two sets of parameters are identified for two principal directions based on the forced vibration test data by minimizing the estimation error using the constrained steepest descent method. The simulated responses for the forced vibration tests using the identified parameters show excellent agreement with the test data. The present estimated parameters are also found to be well compared with the average value of those by other researchers in the joint project.     

DYNAMIC INVESTIGATION OF A REPAIRED CABLE-STAYED BRIDGE

The theoretical and experimental investigation of a cable-stayed bridge after major repair is described in this paper. Strengthening mainly involved the suspension system (originally with prestressed concrete stays) which was retrofitted by means of external tendons. Full-scale tests were conducted to measure the dynamic response of the repaired system; the experimental program included both traffic-induced and free vibration measurements. A total of 16 vertical frequencies and mode shapes were identified in the frequency range of 0–10 Hz. In the theoretical study, vibration modes involving deck, towers and cables were determined by using finite element models which accounted for the strengthening effects. Two- and three-dimensional models were used so that the importance of three-dimensional modes was estimated as well. The experimental results were compared to natural frequencies and mode shapes computed using theoretical models. For most modes the measured and predicted modal parameters compare well, especially for the vertical modes involving in-phase motion of the stays. © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Vibrations of a nuclear power station charge hall

In an effort to determine the nature and size of the response of unusually shaped power station buildings, an investigation of one power station building has been made, both theoretically and experimentally. The dynamic response of the structure to wind excitation has been monitored, analysed and compared with theoretical values obtained from an analysis of a simplified structure. The shapes of pure modes of vibration are consistent with the predicted shapes, and correlation between measured and predicted frequency is better than 10 per cent. Damping measurements from the experimental study are included where the signal/noise ratio permitted, and these were found to be in a range that is consistent with values found in other types of steel construction.     

System identification and modeling of a dynamically tested and gradually damaged 10‐story reinforced concrete building

This paper discusses the dynamic tests, system identification, and modeling of a 10‐story reinforced concrete building. Six infill walls were demolished in 3 stages during the tests to introduce damage. In each damage stage, dynamic tests were conducted by using an eccentric‐mass shaker. Accelerometers were installed to record the torsional and translational responses of the building to the induced excitation, as well as its ambient vibration. The modal properties in all damage states are identified using 2 operational modal analysis methods that can capture the effect of the wall demolition. The modal identification is facilitated by a finite element model of the building. In turn, the model is validated through the comparison of the numerically and experimentally obtained modal parameters. The validated model is used in a parametric study to estimate the influence of structural and nonstructural elements on the dynamic properties of the building and to assess the validity of commonly used empirical formulas found in building codes. Issues related to the applicability and feasibility of system identification on complex structures, as well as considerations for the development of accurate, yet efficient, finite element models are also discussed.     

Effective ambient vibration testing for validating numerical models of concrete dams

Ambient vibration tests were conducted on a 56 metre high concrete gravity dam to measure its modal properties for validating a finite element model of the dam–reservoir–foundation system. Excitation was provided by wind, by reservoir water cascading down the spillweir, and by the force of water released through outlet-pipes. Vibrations of the dam were measured using accelerometers, and 3-hour data records were acquired from each location. Data were processed by testing for stationarity and rejecting non-stationary portions before Fourier analysis. Power spectra with low variance were generated from which natural frequencies of the dam were identified clearly and modal damping factors estimated. Modal analysis of the frequency response spectra yielded mode shapes for the six lowest lateral modes of vibration of the dam. The finite element model for the dam was analysed using EACD-3D, and the computed mode shapes and natural frequencies compared well with the measured results. The study demonstrates that ambient vibration testing can offer a viable alternative to forced vibration testing when only the modal properties of a dam are required. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

弦支穹顶结构动力反应分析

以天津开发区商务中心大堂的弦支穹顶为研究对象,分析了弦支穹顶结构体系的自振特性,分别运用随机模拟风振分析方法和时间历程分析方法,对其进行了风振和地震反应分析,得到了结构在动力荷载作用下的响应时程,并对分析结果进行了频谱分析和统计分析。研究发现弦支穹顶结构的自振频率呈密集型分布,且振型复杂;结构的风振响应基本以受迫振动为主,没有出现明显的峰值共振现象;结构的地震响应在前几阶基频处出现了较为明显的峰值共振现象;从振动的幅值角度看,风荷载的动力作用效应相对于地震荷载要显著。     

Experimental study on multiple tuned mass dampers to reduce seismic responses of a three‐storey building structure

In this study, several mass dampers were designed and fabricated to suppress the seismic responses of a ¼‐scale three‐storey building structure. The dynamic properties of the dampers and structure were identified from free and forced vibration tests. The building structure with or without the dampers was, respectively, tested on a shake table under the white noise excitation, the scaled 1940 El Centro earthquake and the scaled 1952 Taft earthquake. The dampers were placed on the building floors using the sequential procedure developed by the authors in previous studies. Experimental results indicated that the multiple damper system is substantially superior to a single tuned mass damper in mitigating the floor accelerations even though the multiple dampers are sub‐optimal in terms of tuning frequency, damping and placement. These results validated the sequential procedure for placement of the multiple dampers. The structure was also analysed numerically based on the shake table excitation and the identified structure and damper parameters for all test cases. Numerical and experimental results are in good agreement, validating the dynamic properties identified. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

高台基古建筑木结构动力特性及地震反应分析

为了分析高台基古建筑木结构的抗震性能,以西安鼓楼为例,分别建立鼓楼的高台基、上部木结构、整体结构的三维有限元模型.通过模态分析,分别获取了它们的主要频率和振型;通过对上部木结构和整体结构模型输入El Centro波、Taft波、兰州波三种地震激励,分析了柱顶节点的地震响应;并对这些有限元分析结果进行了对比.结果表明:高...     

Ambient vibration measurements on a cable-stayed bridge

An extensive programme of full-scale ambient vibration tests has been conducted to measure the dynamic response of a 542 m (centre span of 274 m) cable-stayed bridge—the Quincy Bayview Bridge in Illinois. A microcomputer-based system was used to collect and analyse the ambient vibration data. A total of 25 modal frequencies and associated mode shapes were identified for the deck structure within the frequency range of 0–2 Hz. Also, estimations were made for damping ratios. The experimental data clearly indicated the occurrence of many closely spaced modal frequencies and spatially complicated mode shapes. Most tower modes were found to be associated with the deck modes, implying a considerable interaction between the deck and tower structure. No detectable levels of motion were evident at the foundation support of the pier. The results of the ambient vibration survey were compared to modal frequencies and mode shapes computed using a three-dimensional finite element model of the bridge. For most modes, the analytic and experimental modal frequencies and mode shapes compare quite well, especially for the vertical modes. Based on the findings of this study, a linear elastic finite element model appears to be capable of capturing much of the complex dynamic behaviour of the bridge with very good accuracy, when compared to the low-level dynamic responses induced by ambient wind and traffic excitations.     

An active mass damper designed using ARX models of a building structure

This study proposes a new design method for an active mass damper (AMD) that is based on auto‐regressive exogenous models of a building structure. The proposed method uses the results of system identification in the field of active structural control. The uncontrolled structure is identified as auto‐regressive exogenous models via measurements under earthquake excitation and forced vibration. These models are linked with an equation of motion for the AMD to introduce a state equation and output equation for the AMD–structure interaction system in the discrete‐time space; the equations apply modern control theories to the AMD design. In the numerical applications of a 10‐degree‐of‐freedom building structure, linear quadratic regulator control is used to understand the fundamental characteristics of the proposed design procedure. The feedback control law requires the AMD's acceleration, velocity and stroke; the structure's acceleration; and the ground acceleration as vibration measurements. The numerical examples confirm the high applicability and control effectiveness of the proposed method. One remarkable advantage of the proposed method is that an equation of motion for the structure becomes unnecessary for designing controllers. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

地铁列车曲线运行引起学校建筑物振动响应分析

地铁以其快捷、准时、运量大等优点,已成为重要的轨道交通形式,但由此引起的环境振动问题日益突出。针对杭州市地铁3号线曲线地段的某中学建设工程,利用有限元软件ABAQUS,对车辆-普通整体道床轨道系统的竖向耦合模型进行振动响应分析,得到考虑轨道高低不平顺影响的轨道振动源强。应用有限元软件MIDAS GTS/NX,建立双孔平行曲线盾构隧道-土-桩-建筑物系统的三维有限元模型。以轨道支点力作为激励对地铁列车运行时的隧道-土-桩-建筑物系统的振动响应进行计算,研究地铁振动波在地层中的传播规律和建筑物的动力响应特性。根据相关环境振动控制标准对建筑物的振动舒适性进行评价。结果表明：轨道加速度和扣件动支点力的最大值分别约为40 m/s²和30 kN;地层和建筑物的振动以竖向为主,水平Y向振动略大于水平X向振动;地面加速度随着距隧道中心线距离的增加而逐渐衰减;各建筑物楼层的振动主频位于16~40 Hz;部分建筑物楼层的振动响应水平已超出了规范的限值要求,建议对地铁轨道或建筑物采取适当的减振措施。     

基于ABAQUS高层剪力墙结构的有限元建模及其振动台试验验证

采用ABAQUS建立12层剪力墙结构的有限元模型,利用该结构1/5缩尺模型振动台试验时预留试块的材性试验结果及相似关系,确定相应原型结构材料的性能参数,将试验参数和我国混凝土结构设计规范给出的混凝土单轴受拉/压应力-应变关系曲线相结合,确定ABAQUS模型中混凝土损伤塑性模型所需的应力-应变参数;将试验参数和张劲公式法相结合,确定ABAQUS模型中混凝土损伤塑性模型所需的损伤因子参数。对比有限元分析结果和振动台试验结果,验证参数设置的有效性。ABAQUS有限元分析和振动台试验所得原型结构前三阶振型和自振周期相差很小,说明ABAQUS模型和参数设置能够反映并用于计算实际结构的弹性响应。ABAQUS有限元分析得到的结构损伤情况与试验模型的损伤情况基本一致;结构的顶点加速度曲线和滞回曲线等响应的有限元分析结果与试验结果在多遇地震作用下基本吻合,但由于振动台试验累积损伤的影响,两者的差异随着地震波幅值的增大而逐渐增大;ABAQUS有限元分析得到的位移包络曲线与剪力墙结构弯曲变形的特点相符。以上弹塑性分析结果进一步表明了ABAQUS模型和参数设置能够很好地模拟结构在地震作用下的响应。     

Dynamic performance of twin curved cable‐stayed bridges

The dynamic behaviour of two curved cable‐stayed bridges, recently constructed in northern Italy, has been investigated by full‐scale testing and theoretical models. Two different excitation techniques were employed in the dynamic tests: traffic‐induced ambient vibrations and free vibrations. Since the modal behaviour identified from the two types of test are very well correlated and a greater number of normal modes was detected during ambient vibration tests, the validity of the ambient vibration survey is assessed in view of future monitoring. For both bridges, 11 vibration modes were identified in the frequency range of 0ndash;10Hz, being a one‐to‐one correspondence between the observed modes of the two bridges. Successively, the information obtained from the field tests was used to validate and improve 3D finite elements so that the dynamic performance of the two systems were assessed and compared based on both the experimental results and the updated theoretical models. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Influence of the construction process and nonstructural components on the modal properties of a five‐story building

A full‐scale five‐story reinforced concrete building was built and tested on the NEES‐UCSD shake table during the period from May 2011 to May 2012. The purpose of this test program was to study the response of the structure and nonstructural components and systems (NCSs) and their dynamic interaction during seismic base excitation of different intensities. The building specimen was tested first under a base‐isolated condition and then under a fixed‐based condition. As the building was being erected, an accelerometer array was deployed on the specimen to study the evolution of its modal parameters during the construction process and placement of major NCSs. A sequence of dynamic tests, including daily ambient vibration, shock (free vibration) and forced vibration tests (low‐amplitude white noise and seismic base excitations), were performed on the building at different stages of construction. Different state‐of‐the‐art system identification methods, including three output‐only and two input‐output methods, were used to estimate the modal properties of the building. The obtained results allow to investigate in detail the effects of the construction process and NCSs on the dynamic parameters of this building system and to compare the modal properties obtained from different methods, as well as the performance of these methods. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Simplified transverse seismic analysis of buried structures

This paper presents a simplified method for the analysis of square cross-section buried structures (tunnel) subjected to seismic motion. Finite element analyses are performed to assess the fundamental modes of vibration of the soil layer with and without the tunnel. The influence of the tunnel on the modes of vibrations is taken into account by comparing the modal deformations in the free-field to those in the presence of the tunnel. From this comparison the zone of influence of the modal displacements due to the presence of the structure is determined. The resulting model is subjected to horizontal and vertical excitation of statistically independent accelerograms compatible with the response spectra of the Regulatory Guide 1.6 of the Nuclear Energy Commission. The free-field displacement is introduced at the boundaries of the zone of influence. The proposed simplified static analysis yields a state of stresses similar to that obtained from a full dynamic analysis of the complete soil–tunnel system. Several examples are solved to corroborate the validity of the method.     

Correlating measured and simulated dynamic responses of a tall building to long‐distance earthquakes

For almost a decade, a 66‐storey, 280m tall building in Singapore has been instrumented to monitor its dynamic responses to wind and seismic excitations. The dynamic characteristics of the tall building have been investigated via both the finite element method and the experimental modal analysis. The properties of the finite element model have been shown to correlate well with those derived from the data recorded during the ambient vibration tests. During the study period, 21 sets of earthquake ground motions have been recorded at the building site. The basement motions may be divided into three categories based on their predominant frequency components with respect to the building's fundamental frequency. The calibrated three‐dimensional finite element model is employed to simulate the seismic response of the tall building. Correlation analysis of the time histories between the recorded data and the simulated results has been carried out. The correlation analysis results show that the simulated dynamic response time histories match well with those of the recorded dynamic responses at the roof level. The results also show that the simulated maximum response at the roof level is close to the peak response recorded during the earthquakes. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Non-linear steady state vibration and dynamic snap through of shallow arch beams

The non-linear steady state vibration of shallow arch beams is studied by a finite element method based on the principle of virtual work. Both the free and forced periodic vibrations are considered. The axial and flexural deformations are coupled by the induced axial force along the beam element. The spatial discretization is achieved by the usual finite element method and the steady state nodal displacements are expanded into a Fourier series. The harmonic balance method gives a set of non-linear algebraic equations in terms of the vibrating frequency and the Fourier coefficients of nodal displacements. The non-linear algebraic equations are solved by the Newtonian algorithm iteratively. The combined algorithm is called the incremental harmonic balance method. The importance of the conditions of completeness and balanceability is presented. Since the non-linearity is essentially softening, different orders of internal resonances between two modes can occur repeatedly. Isolated response curves are possible and are connected to the bifurcation of a particular excited mode.