A cantilever beam analogy for quantifying higher mode effects in multistorey buildings

This paper examines higher mode effects in systems where the ductile mechanism for seismic design is the base moment‐rotation response. The modal properties of flexural and shear beams with uniform mass and elasticity and with a variable amount of base rotational restraint are derived. As the base fixity is released, the first mode becomes the rigid body rotation of the beam about the base, but the higher modes change much less, particularly for the shear beam model. Most response quantities that are of interest in the seismic design of typical mid‐rise buildings are controlled by the first two lateral modes, except at locations along the height where the second mode contributes little. However, the third and higher lateral modes are more significant for high‐rise buildings. Based on the theory of uniform cantilever shear beams, expressions are developed to avoid the need for a modal analysis to estimate the overturning moment, storey shear, and floor acceleration envelopes. Considering the measured response from the shake table testing of a large‐scale eight‐storey controlled rocking steel braced frame, the proposed expressions are shown to be of similar or better accuracy to a modified modal superposition technique, which combines the higher mode response from an elastic modal analysis with the response associated with achieving the maximum base overturning moment according to an inverted triangular load distribution. Because the proposed method uses only parameters that are available at the initial design stage, avoiding the analysis of a structural model, it is likely to be especially useful for preliminary design. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

An analytical model of a deformable cantilever structure rocking on a rigid surface: experimental validation

This paper describes an experimental program to examine the dynamic response of deformable cantilevers rocking on a rigid surface. The primary goal of the tests is to verify and validate a dynamic rocking model that describes the behavior of these structures. The benchmark response data was obtained from shaking‐table tests on deformable rocking specimens with different natural vibration frequencies and different aspect ratios excited by analytical pulses and recorded ground motions. The responses computed using the model are found to be in good agreement with the benchmark test results. Widely used impact, restitution and damping assumptions are revisited based on the experiment results and the analytical model findings. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Impulsive Dirac‐delta forces in the rocking motion

In this work the classical theory of one block rocking motion is revisited. A Dirac‐delta type interaction as impact mechanism is found to be an alternative for the traditional model. Numerical computations with this new formulation have shown that the agreement with the classical theory is excellent for the case of slender blocks and small displacements. Good agreement with experimental data has also been found for the case of arbitrary angles and slenderness. The approach presented in this paper opens new lines for further theoretical developments and computational applications. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Errors caused by peak factor assumptions in response‐spectrum‐based analyses

The modal combination rules commonly used in response spectrum analyses implicitly assume that the peak factor associated with the response quantity of interest is equal to the peak factors of the contributing modal responses. In this paper, we examine the validity of this assumption and demonstrate that it causes the modal combination rules to over‐represent the contribution of the higher modes of vibration to the total response and under‐represent the contribution of the lower modes. Consequently, a response‐spectrum‐based analysis can yield a biased estimate for the peak value of a response quantity when two or more well‐separated modal frequencies make significant contributions to the total response. To correct this potential bias in response‐spectrum‐based estimates, we develop a procedure for estimating the peak factors that is suitable to the response spectrum analysis calculations commonly used in the current design practice. Examples are presented to demonstrate the proper use and potential impact of the proposed procedure. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Experimental and analytical studies on the vibration serviceability of long-span prestressed concrete floor

An extensive experimental and theoretical research study was undertaken to study the vibration serviceability of a long-span prestressed concrete floor system to be used in the lounge of a major airport.Specifically,jumping impact tests were carried out to obtain the floor’s modal parameters,followed by an analysis of the distribution of peak accelerations.Running tests were also performed to capture the acceleration responses.The prestressed concrete floor was found to have a low fundamental natural frequency(≈8.86 Hz)corresponding to the average modal damping ratio of≈2.17%.A coefficients plate with simply-supported edges.The calculated analytical results(natural frequencies and root-mean-square acceleration)agree well with the experimental ones.The analytical approach is thus validated.     

A finite element model for seismic response analysis of deformable rocking frames

A new finite element model to analyze the seismic response of deformable rocking bodies and rocking structures is presented. The model comprises a set of beam elements to represent the rocking body and zero‐length fiber cross‐section elements at the ends of the rocking body to represent the rocking surfaces. The energy dissipation during rocking motion is modeled using a Hilber–Hughes–Taylor numerically dissipative time step integration scheme. The model is verified through correct prediction of the horizontal and vertical displacements of a rigid rocking block and validated against the analytical Housner model solution for the rocking response of rigid bodies subjected to ground motion excitation. The proposed model is augmented by a dissipative model of the ground under the rocking surface to facilitate modeling of the rocking response of deformable bodies and structures. The augmented model is used to compute the overturning and uplift rocking response spectra for a deformable rocking frame structure to symmetric and anti‐symmetric Ricker pulse ground motion excitation. It is found that the deformability of the columns of a rocking frame does not jeopardize its stability under Ricker pulse ground motion excitation. In fact, there are cases where a deformable rocking frame is more stable than its rigid counterpart. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effect of variation of normal force on seismic performance of resilient sliding isolation systems in highway bridges

In this study, a series of shaking table tests are carried out on scaled models of two seismically isolated highway bridges to investigate the effect of rocking motion and vertical acceleration on seismic performance of resilient sliding isolators. In addition, performance of RSI is compared with system having solely natural rubber bearings. Test results show that variation of normal force on sliders due to rocking effect and vertical acceleration makes no significant difference in response of RSI systems. In addition, analytical response of prototype isolated bridge and the model used in experiments is obtained analytically by using non‐linear model for isolation systems. It is observed that for seismically isolated bridges, dynamic response of full‐scale complex structures can be predicted with acceptable accuracy by experiments using a simple model of the structure. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Improved dynamic correction method in seismic analysis of both classically and non‐classically damped structures

A step‐by‐step approximate procedure taking into consideration high‐frequency modes, usually neglected in the modal analysis of both classically and non‐classically damped structures, is presented. This procedure can be considered as an extension of traditional modal correction methods, like the mode‐acceleration method and the dynamic correction method, which are very effective for structural systems subjected to forcing functions described by analytical laws. The proposed procedure, herein called improved dynamic correction method, requires two steps. In the first step, the number of differential equations of motion are reduced and consequently solved by using the first few undamped mode‐shapes. In the second step, the errors due to modal truncation are reduced by correcting the dynamic response and solving a new set of differential equations, formally similar to the original differential equations of motion. The difference between the two groups of differential equations lies in the forcing vector, which is evaluated in such a way as to correct the effects of modal truncation on applied loads. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Traffic‐induced variability in dynamic properties of cable‐stayed bridge

The traffic‐induced variability in the dynamic properties of a cable‐stayed bridge is investigated using ambient vibration measurements. Under a relatively steady wind and temperature environment, the ambient vibration test was conducted on the bridge with normal traffic conditions and totally 24 h acceleration response time histories were recorded. These data are divided into 12 sections with each data section containing 2 h measurements. Thereby the modal variability due to changing traffic loading is investigated through post‐processing of the data in each section in both amplitude and frequency domains. The result indicates that the natural frequencies of the global modes can exhibit as much as 1% variation within a day. The modal amplitudes of each mode as well as the modal deflection at each measurement position vary insignificantly. The damping ratios however are sensitive to the vibration intensity, especially when the deck vibration exceeds a certain level. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Response of seismically isolated buildings considering poundings

Numerical simulations and parametric studies have been used to investigate the influence of potential poundings of seismically isolated buildings with adjacent structures on the effectiveness of seismic isolation. Poundings are assumed to occur at the isolation level between the seismically isolated building and the surrounding moat wall. After assessing some common force‐based impact models, a variation of the linear viscoelastic impact model is proposed to avoid tensile impact forces during detachment, while enabling the consideration of permanent plastic deformations at the vicinity of the impact. A large number of numerical simulations of seismically isolated buildings with different characteristics have been conducted under six earthquake excitations in order to investigate the influence of various design parameters and conditions on the peak floor accelerations and interstorey deflections during poundings. The numerical simulations demonstrate that poundings may substantially increase floor accelerations, especially t the base floor where impacts occur. Higher modes of vibration are excided during poundings, increasing the interstorey deflections, instead of retaining an almost rigid‐body motion of the superstructure, which is aimed with seismic isolation. Impact stiffness seems to affect significantly the acceleration response at the isolation level, while the displacement response is more insensitive to the variation of the impact stiffness. Finally, the results indicate that providing excessive flexibility at the isolation system to minimize the floor accelerations may lead to a building vulnerable to poundings, if the available seismic gap is limited. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Dynamic response analysis of solitary flexible rocking bodies: modeling and behavior under pulse‐like ground excitation

Results obtained for rigid structures suggest that rocking can be used as seismic response modification strategy. However, actual structures are not rigid: structural elements where rocking is expected to occur are often slender and flexible. Modeling of the rocking motion and impact of flexible bodies is a challenging task. A non‐linear elastic viscously damped zero‐length spring rocking model, directly usable in conventional finite element software, is presented in this paper. The flexible rocking body is modeled using a conventional beam‐column element with distributed masses. This model is verified by comparing its pulse excitation response to the corresponding analytical solution and validated by overturning analysis of rocking blocks subjected to a recorded ground motion excitation. The rigid rocking block model provides a good approximation of the seismic response of solitary flexible columns designed to uplift when excited by pulse‐like ground motions. Guidance for development of rocking column models in ordinary finite element software is provided. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Bayesian probabilistic damage detection of a reinforced‐concrete bridge column

A Bayesian probabilistic approach for damage detection has been proposed for the continuous monitoring of civil structures (Sohn H, Law KH. Bayesian probabilistic approach for structure damage detection. Earthquake Engineering and Structural Dynamics 1997; 26 :1259–1281). This paper describes the application of the Bayesian approach to predict the location of plastic hinge deformation using the experimental data obtained from the vibration tests of a reinforced‐concrete bridge column. The column was statically pushed incrementally with lateral displacements until a plastic hinge is fully formed at the bottom portion of the column. Vibration tests were performed at different damage stages. The proposed damage detection method was able to locate the damaged region using a simplified analytical model and the modal parameters estimated from the vibration tests, although (1) only the first bending and first torsional modes were estimated from the experimental test data, (2) the locations where the accelerations were measured did not coincide with the degrees of freedom of the analytical model, and (3) there existed discrepancies between the undamaged test structure and the analytical model. The Bayesian framework was able to systematically update the damage probabilities when new test data became available. Better diagnosis was obtained by employing multiple data sets than just by using each test data set separately. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Dynamics of a sliding-rocking block considering impact with an adjacent wall

A freestanding rigid block subjected to base excitation can exhibit complicated motion described by five response modes: rest, pure rocking, pure sliding, combined sliding-rocking, and free flight. Previous studies on the dynamics of a rocking block have assumed that the block does not interact with neighboring objects. However, there are many applications in which the block may start or come in contact with an adjacent boundary during its motion, for example, a bookcase or cabinet colliding with a partition wall in an earthquake. This paper investigates the dynamics of a sliding-rocking block considering impact with an adjacent wall. A model is developed in which the base and wall are assumed rigid, and impact is treated using the classical impulse and momentum principle. The model is verified by comparing its predictions in numerical simulations against those of an existing general-purpose rigid-body model in which impact is treated using a viscoelastic impact model. The developed model is used to investigate the effects of different parameters on the stability of a block subjected to analytical pulse excitations. It is found that wall placement (left or right) has a dominant effect on the shape of the overturning acceleration spectra for pulse excitations. In general, decreasing the gap distance, base friction coefficient, and wall coefficient of restitution enhance the stability of the block. Similar observations are made when evaluating the overturning probability of a block using earthquake floor motions.     

System identification of linear structures based on Hilbert–Huang spectral analysis. Part 1: normal modes

Based on the Hilbert–Huang spectral analysis, a method is proposed to identify multi‐degree‐of‐freedom (MDOF) linear systems using measured free vibration time histories. For MDOF systems, the normal modes have been assumed to exist. In this method, the measured response data, which are polluted by noises, are first decomposed into modal responses using the empirical mode decomposition (EMD) approach with intermittency criteria. Then, the Hilbert transform is applied to each modal response to obtain the instantaneous amplitude and phase angle time histories. A linear least‐square fit procedure is proposed to identify the natural frequency and damping ratio from the instantaneous amplitude and phase angle for each modal response. Based on a single measurement of the free vibration time history at one appropriate location, natural frequencies and damping ratios can be identified. When the responses at all degrees of freedom are measured, the mode shapes and the physical mass, damping and stiffness matrices of the structure can be determined. The applications of the proposed method are illustrated using three linear systems with different dynamic characteristics. Numerical simulation results demonstrate that the proposed system identification method yields quite accurate results, and it offers a new and effective tool for the system identification of linear structures in which normal modes exist. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Approximate modal decomposition of inelastic dynamic responses of wall buildings

Two approximate methods for decomposing complicated inelastic dynamic responses of wall buildings into simple modal responses are presented. Both methods are based on the equivalent linear concept, where a non‐linear structure is represented by a set of equivalent linear models. One linear model is used for representing only one vibration mode of the non‐linear structure, and its equivalent linear parameters are identified from the inelastic response time histories by using a numerical optimizer. Several theoretical relations essential for the modal decomposition are derived under the framework of complex modal analysis. Various numerical examinations have been carried out to check the validity of the proposed modal decomposition methods, and the results are quite satisfactory in all cases. Fluctuating bending moment and shear at any location along the wall height contributed by each individual vibration mode can be obtained. Modal contributions to shear and flexural strength demands, as well as the corresponding modal properties, under various seismic loading conditions can also be identified and examined in detail. Furthermore, the effects of higher vibration modes on seismic demands of wall buildings are investigated by using the modal decomposition methods. Several new insights into the complicated inelastic dynamics of multi‐story wall buildings are presented. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Seismic control of flexible rocking structures using inerters

Allowing flexible structures to uplift and rock during earthquakes can significantly reduce the force demands and residual displacements. However, such structures are still susceptible to large deformations and accelerations that can compromise their functionality. In this paper, we examine the dynamic response of elastic rocking oscillators and suggest that their lateral drifts and accelerations can be limited effectively by using inerter devices. To this end, we offer a detailed examination of the effects of structural flexibility on the efficiency of the proposed system. The analytical expressions governing the motion of deformable structures with base uplift are revisited to incorporate the effects of the supplemental rotational inertia. The proposed model is then used to study the structural demands of flexible rocking structures under coherent pulses as well as noncoherent real pulse-like ground motions. Our results show that combining rocking with inerters can be an efficient strategy to control the deformation and acceleration demands in uplifting flexible systems.     

A METHOD OF ESTIMATING THE PARAMETERS OF TUNED MASS DAMPERS FOR SEISMIC APPLICATIONS

The optimum parameters of tuned mass dampers (TMD) that result in considerable reduction in the response of structures to seismic loading are presented. The criterion used to obtain the optimum parameters is to select, for a given mass ratio, the frequency (tuning) and damping ratios that would result in equal and large modal damping in the first two modes of vibration. The parameters are used to compute the response of several single and multi-degree-of-freedom structures with TMDs to different earthquake excitations. The results indicate that the use of the proposed parameters reduces the displacement and acceleration responses significantly. The method can also be used in vibration control of tall buildings using the so-called ‘mega-substructure configuration’, where substructures serve as vibration absorbers for the main structure. It is shown that by selecting the optimum TMD parameters as proposed in this paper, significant reduction in the response of tall buildings can be achieved. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Seismic response of base-isolated structures with vertical-rocking coupling

A base-isolated building is liable to have a small horizontal eccentricity between the centre of mass of the superstructure and the centre of rigidity of the supporting bearings. In seismic analysis, the structure is modelled as a rigid block with tributary masses supported on massless elastomeric rubber bearings placed at a constant elevation below the centre of mass. This simplified system has three degrees of freedom: two translations and one rotation in the vertical plane. The investigation of the dynamic behaviour of a base-isolated building is carried out for both the detuned and the perfectly tuned cases. In the detuned case, the natural frequencies of the system are assumed to be well separated. In the perfectly tuned case, the uncoupled rocking frequency is assumed to be identical to the vertical translational frequency, which may result from an unusual mass distribution and/or an extreme aspect ratio of the superstructure. Perturbation methods are implemented in finding the dynamic characteristics for both cases. However, the dynamic response of the perfectly tuned case is the major concern in this investigation. The Green's functions for the displacement response of the three-degree-of-freedom system are derived for both the undamped and damped conditions. The response spectrum modal superposition method is used in estimating the maximum acceleration response. A simple method, accounting for the effect of closely spaced modes, is proposed for combining modal maxima and results in an approximate solution corresponding to a single-degree-of-freedom system. This approximate solution may be used for the preliminary design of a base-isolated structure. Numerical results for a base-isolated building subjected to the vertical component of the El Centro earthquake of 1940 were carried out for comparison with these analytical results. The proposed modal combination method showed superiority over the conventional Square Root of the Sum of the Squares method in estimating maximum responses. The results also indicated that the approximate single-degree-of-freedom system yields accurate estimations. It is shown that the effect of rocking coupling on the vertical response of base-isolated structures subjected to transient loadings, such as earthquake motions, can generally be neglected as a result of the combined effects of the time lag between the maximum translational and rotational responses and the influence of damping in the isolation system, which for elastomeric bearings can be as high as 8 to 10 per cent of critical.     

Single precast concrete rocking walls as earthquake force‐resisting elements

Precast concrete walls with unbonded post‐tensioning provide a simple self‐centering system. Yet, its application in seismic regions is not permitted as it is assumed to have no energy dissipation through a hysteretic mechanism. These walls, however, dissipate energy imparted to them because of the wall impacting the foundation during rocking and limited hysteretic action resulting from concrete nonlinearity. The energy dissipated due to rocking was ignored in previous experimental studies because they were conducted primarily using quasi‐static loading. Relying only on limited energy dissipation, a shake table study was conducted on four single rocking walls (SRWs) using multiple‐level earthquake input motions. All walls generally performed satisfactorily up to the design‐level earthquakes when their performance was assessed in terms of the maximum transient drift, maximum absolute acceleration, and residual drift. However, for the maximum considered earthquakes, the walls experienced peak lateral drifts greater than the permissible limits. Combining the experimental results with an analytical investigation, it is shown that SRWs can be designed as earthquake force‐resisting elements to produce satisfactory performance under design‐level and higher‐intensity earthquake motions. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.