Seismic evaluation of existing nuclear facility using ambient vibration test to characterize dynamic behavior of the structure and microtremor measurements to characterize the soil: a case study

The methods used for a building seismic hazard evaluation are presented with the associated results. The goals of the study are (1) to check the soil nature and the existence or not of a possible site effect around the installation and (2) to characterize the dynamic behavior of the building using ambient vibration records.

The results of the soil study with the Nakamura method are very difficult to interpret because they are not stable in space and time. The spectral ratios method has been used with regional earthquake records. The results of the application of this method allowed us to conclude that the installation was free of site effect.

The ambient vibration measurements on the building brought the conclusion to determine the first and second modes of the structure. These results have been used to calibrate numerical model. The modal shapes in plan (high roof) and in elevation (main column) have been evaluated. The damping of the building has been computed using ambient vibration records.     

Rayleigh波场的数值模拟及其应用

本文总结了Rayleigh波场数值模拟的4种思路和各自特点,根据Lamb问题的理论分析成果提出了基于地表激振的Rayleigh波场数值模拟技术,论述了地表集中震源作用下引起地表波动场的特点及主要影响因素。在此基础上,利用Plaxis 2D有限元软件实现了Rayleigh波场的数值模拟,并结合算例验证了所提方法的可行性和结果的合理性。最后,针对多层建筑结构,研究了不同地震动输入模式下结构动力反应的特点。结果表明,Rayleigh波作用下结构的动力反应特性明显区别于在底部输入剪切波时的结果,不同地震动输入模式对结构的振动形态和破坏模式有着明显的影响。     

Analytical and numerical studies on the nonlinear dynamic response of orthotropic membranes under impact load

Orthotropic membrane components and structures are widely used in building structures, instruments and meters, electronic engineering, space and aeronautics, etc., because of their light weights. However, the same lightweight combined with low stiffness make membranes prone to vibration under dynamic loads, and in some cases the vibration may lead to structural failure. Herein, the undamped nonlinear vibration response of pretension rectangular orthotropic membrane structures subjected to impact loading is studied by analytical and numerical methods. The analytical solution is obtained by solving the governing equations by the Bubnov-Galerkin method and the Lindstedt-Poincaré perturbation method. Numerical analysis has also been carried out based on the same theoretical model. The analytical and numerical results have been compared and analyzed, and the infl uence of various model parameters on membrane vibration discussed. The results obtained herein provide some theoretical basis for the vibration control and dynamic design of orthotropic membrane components and structures.     

Earthquake response analysis of multistorey buildings including foundation interaction

An efficient method, based on the Ritz concept, for dynamic analysis of response of multistorey buildings including foundation interaction to earthquake ground motion is presented. The system considered is a shear building on a rigid circular disc footing attached to the surface of a linearly elastic halfspace. In this method, the structural displacements are transformed to normal modes of vibration of the building on a rigid foundation. The analysis procedure is developed and numerical results are presented to demonstrate that excellent results can be obtained by considering only the first few modes of vibration. As the number of unknowns are reduced by transforming to generalized co-ordinates, the method presented is much more efficient than direct methods.     

Effects of infill walls and floor diaphragms on the dynamic characteristics of a narrow‐rectangle building

Most buildings in Singapore are lightly reinforced concrete structures, which are mainly designed for gravity loading only, because Singapore is an island country located in a low‐to‐moderate seismic region. The dynamic properties of a typical high‐rise residential building with a long, narrow rectangular floor plan are studied using both experimental and numerical methods. The effects of the brick infill walls and the flexible diaphragms on the dynamic characteristics of the building are discussed in detail. The results from the ambient vibration tests are correlated with the numerical results of three different finite element models with different levels of sophistication. They include a bare frame model, a frame model with brick infill walls, and a frame model with both brick infill walls and flexible diaphragms. The dynamic properties of the third model match very well with the measured results in terms of both the natural frequencies and the mode shapes. The correlation results demonstrate the respective effects of the brick infill walls and the flexible diaphragms on the dynamic characteristics of the narrow‐rectangle building structure. Copyright © 2006 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.     

Experimental and numerical evaluation of the fundamental period of undamaged and damaged RC framed buildings

This paper deals with the period evaluation of Reinforced Concrete (RC) framed buildings in elastic, yield and severely damaged states. Firstly, period-height relationships either reported in the literature, or obtained from both numerical simulations (eigenvalue analyses) and experimental measurements (ambient vibration analyses) have been examined and compared. Structural types representing low-rise, mid-rise and high-rise RC buildings without earthquake resistant design, widely present in the Italian and European built environment, have been studied. Results have shown high differences between numerical and experimental period values. Period elongation (stiffness degradation) during and after strong ground shaking has been also examined based on results from experimental in situ and laboratory tests performed on some RC framed building structures which suffered moderate-heavy damage. Some comments on the relationship between damage level and period elongation are reported.     

地震区居民建筑钢结构极限承载力测试与分析

传统方法一般依据静力检测数据测试居民建筑钢结构的极限承载力,对构件数量的要求较高,无法量测隐蔽构件,测试结果精度低。因此提出基于振动参数以及动力模型修正的地震区居民建筑钢结构极限承载力预测与分析方法,分析建筑钢结构振动参数与极限承载能力的关系,塑造地震区居民建筑钢结构简化以及振动方程,获取其极限载荷与振动参数间的关系。采用基于动力模型修正的极限承载力评估方法,基于动力模型修正理论,采用线性屈曲法、几何非线性法以及双重非线性分析法,对地震区居民建筑钢结构极限承载力进行检测。实验结果说明,所提方法能对居民建筑钢结构立柱轴向性和大钩荷载关系以及荷载-扰度曲线,且实施数值运算效果好,预测获取的极限承载力值精度高,建筑的钢结构状态比较稳定。     

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.     

北京市防震减灾中心结构地震反应观测及振动特性识别

以北京市防震减灾中心结构为例,进行了结构的地震反应观测及振动特性识别研究。基于半功率带宽法对结构脉动测试数据进行了分析,计算出了结构自振周期和振型以及相应的阻尼比。各振型都具有较大幅值的楼层分别位于3、6和8层,据此设计并建成了结构地震反应观测台阵。分析台阵地震记录识别出了结构的自振特性,同时功率谱曲线显示,井下数据存在高频特性,初步判定其来自钢套管振动。开展结构的数值模拟分析,利用观测楼层上地震记录的卓越频率不断修正结构数值模型,直至结构反应与地震记录的频率值相符,且与脉动测试数据基本一致,相对位移对比分析发现,在该模型基础上相对位移反应与相对位移记录基本吻合。结构地震反应观测和数值模拟分析较好地实现了结构地震反应观测台阵的观测目的。     

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.     

A macro-level global seismic damage model considering higher modes

For modal pushover analysis procedures, the model proposed by Ghobarah et al. (called the G model hereafter, 1999) has been extended to account for the contributions of transient higher modes to global seismic damage of structures excited by strong ground motions. The proposed model has physically and perfectly bridged the G model and the final softening model proposed by DiPasquale and Cakmak (1988). Modal damage indexes corresponding to all considered vibration modes are combined by the CQC rule or the SRSS rule. Incremental dynamic analysis (IDA) is performed on three example RC frames to validate the proposed model, and a comprehensive comparison is carried out. The demonstration indicates that the proposed model is easy to implement and reflects the influence of the transition in transient vibration periods and modes on structural damage evolution. Some limitations associated with the proposed model are also addressed. Further experimental validations are needed to improve the model in the future.     

Research on mode localization of reticulated shell structures

Reticulated shell structures (RSSs) are characterized as cyclically periodic structures. Mistuning of RSSs will induce structural mode localization. Mode localization has the following two features: some modal vectors of the structure change remarkably when the values of its physical parameters (mass or stiffness) have a slight change; and the vibration of some modes is mainly restricted in some local areas of the structure. In this paper, two quantitative assessment indexes are introduced that correspond to these two features. The first feature is studied through a numerical example of a RSS, and its induced causes are analyzed by using the perturbation theory. The analysis showed that internally, mode localization is closely related to structural frequencies and externally, slight changes of the physical parameters of the structure cause instability to the RSS. A scaled model experiment to examine mode localization was carried out on a Kiewit single-layer spherical RSS, and both features of mode localization are studied. Eight tests that measured the changes of the physical parameters were carried out in the experiment. Since many modes make their contribution in structural dynamic response, six strong vibration modes were tested at random in the experimental analysis. The change and localization of the six modes are analyzed for each test. The results show that slight changes to the physical parameters are likely to induce remarkable changes and localization of some modal vectors in the RSSs.     

大型火力发电厂框排架混合结构主厂房动力特性试验与分析

选取1 000MW大型火力发电厂新型混合结构主厂房体系的三跨三榀进行缩尺比为1/7的空间模型试验研究.采用锤击法测试模型结构的动力特性,得到其自振频率和振型,并根据相似关系换算到原型结构.使用SAP2000软件建立混合结构主厂房模型和原型结构的有限元模型,进行模态分析,得到模型和原型结构的频率和振型,并与试验结果进行对比分析.可为大型火力发电厂新型混合结构主厂房体系的抗震性能研究提供依据.     

Dynamic testing and system identification of a multi-span highway bridge

A simple and effective procedure for conducting the free vibration test on highway bridges is presented. The impulsive force in each direction is generated by a loaded truck that either stops suddenly or falls down from a rigid block. The feasibility of the procedure is demonstrated in identification of the dynamic properties, i.e. the vibration frequencies, mode shapes, and damping ratios, of a three-span box-girder concrete bridge using the Ibrahim Time-Domain (ITD) technique. Up to 14 modes have been identified for the present case. For the purpose of verification, ambient vibration tests were also carried out, with the data processed by the random decrement (Randomdec) technique to yield the free vibration response, followed by the ITD technique. The dynamic properties identified from the two types of test correlate very well with each other, indicating the validity of each procedure described herein. Although many more modes can be identified from the free vibration test because of the higher quality of data produced, the easiness and general applicability of the ambient vibration test can still be appreciated. A comparison of the experimental results with those by the finite element method indicated a lesser degree of correlation, implying that the finite element model adopted in design requires further refinement, say, through a more realistic evaluation of the boundary conditions, geometric and material properties of the bridge. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.     

Influence of lateral-load-resisting system on the earthquake response of structures—a system identification study

Analysis and comparison of the dynamic responses of three well instrumented (with accelerographs) high-rise buildings shaken during the 1984 Morgan Hill earthquake are presented. The buildings examined in the present work are (i) the Town Park Towers Apartment building, a 10-storey, concrete shear wall building; (ii) the Great Western Savings and Loan building, a 10-storey building with concrete frames and shear walls; and (iii) the Santa Clara County Office building, a 13-storey, moment-resistant steel frame building. The structures are located within 2 km of each other and, as may be confirmed by visual inspection of the recorded seismograms, experienced similar ground motions. One-dimensional and three-dimensional linear structural models are fitted to the observations using the modal minimization method' for structural identification, in order to determine optimal estimates of the parameters of the dominant modes of the buildings. The time-varying character of these parameters over the duration of the response is also investigated. Comparison of the recorded earthquake response of the structures reveals that the type of lateral-load-resisting system has an important effect on the dynamic behaviour of the structures because it controls the spacing of the characteristic modes on the frequency axis. The Santa Clara County Office building has closely spaced natural frequencies and exhibits strong torsional response and modal coupling. Its dynamic behaviour is contrasted with that of the Great Western Savings and Loan building which has well separated natural frequencies and exhibits small torsional response and no modal coupling. Strong modal coupling causes a beating-type phenomenon and makes earthquake response of structures different from that envisioned by codes.     

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.     

Ambient vibration studies for system identification of tall buildings

The performance of a building under wind and seismic loads depends on stiffness and mass distribution, and may be estimated using finite element codes. Experience has, however, shown that such finite element models often fail to predict accurately the fundamental natural frequencies. Usually the frequencies will be underestimated, that is the building will turn out to be stiffer than anticipated, meaning the design would usually be conservative. On the other hand, effects like torsional eccentricity and foundation compliance may not be correctly modelled, which could be less desirable. A full understanding of linear performance under lateral loads can be obtained through experimental evaluation of the vibration modes. Traditionally only a limited range of modal analysis procedures and software has been applied to civil applications and the ‘special case’ where no input forces can be measured has been the usual situation for large civil structures. Recent developments in system identification, which is the set of procedures to build mathematical models of the dynamic structural systems based on measured data, have added significantly to the potential of ambient vibration or ‘output only’ testing. The aim of the research reported here has been to apply and evaluate the procedures on typical buildings. The procedures are briefly explained and two experimental programmes are then described; a long‐term tremor monitoring exercise on a 280m office tower and an ambient vibration survey of a smaller office block. The different forms of response data are examined to study the performance of the analysis procedures and expose benefits and limitations in their use. There is a growing interest in output‐only modal analysis procedures in civil engineering. The experience reported in this paper has shown that quick and reliable estimation of mode shapes and frequencies can be obtained, even with small amounts of data. Judgement of modal participation and damping ratios requires more detailed study yet the results are at least as convincing as existing and relatively limited frequency domain methods. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Nonlinear Dynamic Response of HDRB and Hybrid HDRB-Friction Sliders Base Isolation Systems

The isolation systems are usually made of rubber bearings that are sometimes coupled in hybrid combination with frictional devices; this is the case of an in-site experimental campaign, performed on a base isolated apartment building in Rapolla (south of Italy). Several dropout tests at initial displacements up to 17cm allowed to obtain in-site information on the true dynamic response of the isolation system (building and isolators). The tests carried out allow a comparison between the free vibration responses of a building, isolated by using a 28 HDRB isolation system only, or an HDRB-Friction Sliders Hybrid one. The paper highlights the main differences of the response in the superstructure (the structure over the isolation system) obtained by using only HDRB isolation system, or the Hybrid one (HDRB and Friction Sliders in parallel system). Analysis and comparisons of experimental data, show the influence of nonlinearities on structural higher modes amplification, especially observed by using the higher nonlinear Hybrid isolation system. Tests results confirm that, in the case of a regular superstructure, like the Rapolla building, the isolation system nonlinearities influence the structural response.     

Evaluation of blast effects on reinforced concrete buildings considering Operational Modal Analysis results

Seismic protection of buildings under risk can be achieved by increasing the knowledge about the behaviour of existing structures. Operational Modal Analysis is a powerful tool used for this purpose all over the world. It provides the dynamic characteristics of structures under operational conditions or some particular environmental issues such as blasts and earthquakes. The main objective of this study is to evaluate blast effects on a reinforced concrete (RC) building considering experimentally determined dynamic characteristics. The study consists of three phases: the measurement of vibration characteristics of blasting, the theoretical modal analysis of the inspected building, and experimental verification of dynamic characteristics using modal testing. The vibration characteristics of blasting are measured around the inspected building on hard soil using a geophone set. The initial analytical model of the building is constructed according to the in-situ investigation on building. The theoretical modal analysis results are verified by carrying out modal testing on the RC building. The Operational Modal Analysis method is used for the extraction of the dynamic characteristics of the building, and blast vibrations are taken into account as environmental vibrations. The effects of blasting on the reinforced concrete building are introduced by assessing the vibration of blasting with the dynamic characteristics of the building.