Keywords: non-linear dynamic analysis, steel-concrete composite floors, human comfort, structural behaviour.

The increasing incidence of building vibration problems arising from human activities led to a specific design criterion to be addressed in structural design [1,2,3]. This was the main motivation for the development of a design methodology centred on the steel-concrete composite floors non-linear dynamic response subjected to loads arising from human rhythmic activities.

Considering all the aspects above, the main objective of this paper is to investigate the degree of influence of steel-concrete interaction (from total to various levels of partial interaction) over the non-linear dynamic behaviour of composite floors subjected to human rhythmic activities [1,2]. This way, the dynamic loads were obtained through experimental tests with individuals carrying out rhythmic and non-rhythmic activities such as stimulated and non-stimulated jumping and aerobic gymnastics [3].

The investigated structural model was based on a steel-concrete composite floor spanning 40m by 40m, with a total area of 1600m2. The structural system consisted of a typical composite floor of a commercial building. The composite floor studied in this paper is supported by steel columns and is currently subjected to human rhythmic loads. The structural system is constituted of composite girders and a 100mm thick concrete slab [1,2].

Initially, all the composite floor natural frequencies and vibration modes were obtained. In a sequence, based on an extensive parametric study, the floor dynamic response in terms of peak accelerations was obtained and compared to the limiting values proposed by several authors and design codes [4,5]. An extensive parametric analysis was developed focusing on the determination of the influence of the steel-concrete interaction over the composite floor non-linear dynamic response, when subjected to human rhythmic activities. The structural system peak accelerations were compared to the limiting values proposed by several authors and design standard. The current investigation indicated that human rhythmic activities could induce the steel-concrete composite floors to reach unacceptable vibration levels and, in these situations, leads to a violation of the current human comfort criteria for these specific structures.

1

S.G. Gonçalves, "Non-linear Dynamic Analysis of Composite Floors Submitted to Human Rhythmic Activities", MSc Dissertation, Civil Engineering Post-graduate Programme, PGECIV, State University of Rio de Janeiro, UERJ, Rio de Janeiro/RJ, Brazil, 2011. (In Portuguese)

2

E.D.C. Lopes, "Effect of the Steel-Concrete Interaction over the Composite Floors Non-linear Dynamic Response", PhD Thesis, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro, PUC-Rio, Rio de Janeiro/RJ, Brazil, 2012. (In Portuguese)

3

R.G. Faisca, "Characterization of Dynamic Loads due to Human Activities", PhD Thesis, Civil Engineering Department, COPPE/UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro/RJ, Brazil, 2003. (In Portuguese)

4

T.M. Murray, D.E. Allen, E.E. Ungar, "Floor Vibrations due to Human Activity", Steel Design Guide Series, American Institute of Steel Construction, AISC, Chicago, USA, 2003.

5

International Standard Organization, "Evaluation of Human Exposure to Whole-Body Vibration, Part 2: Human Exposure to Continuous and Shock-Induced Vibrations in Buildings (1 to 80Hz)", ISO 2631-2, 1989.

purchase the full-text of this paper (price £20)

go to the previous paper
go to the next paper
return to the table of contents
return to the book description
purchase this book (price £65 +P&P)