Papers: Ji/Ellis Papers Floor vibration Floor vibration induced by dance-type loads: theory T. Ji, Bsc, Msc, PhD Building Research Establishment B. R. Ellis, BSc, PhD, CEng, MiStructh Building Research Establishment Synopsis This paper is concerted with he response of floors to loading produced by dancing and aerobics, especially where the dancing involves jumping. Is purpose isto provide an analytical method for determining the response of floors to these loads. The characteristics ofthe load tine history are dealt with inital ‘and, for calculation purposes, the load is expressed in terms of. Fourier series. An analstcal solution ofthe forced vibration of simply supported floors is developed, using plae theory and ‘considering several modes of vibration. The number of Fourier terms tha should be considered inthe analysis is determined. The solution is then extended fr other structures with different boundary ‘conditions. lis predicted that significant accelerations may occur ‘on relatively stiff lors induced by higher Fourier components of the load. (Verification of the method is provided in ref.) Notation 4acbefe ate Fourier cooicients a Js the acceleration (ms?) Ay isthe generalised co-ordinate ofthe ith mode (mm) By isthe structural factor corresponding tothe fundamental mode ay isthe generalised displacement ofthe fundamental mode corresponding to state and uniform load G(m) > isthe flevural rigidity kgm) », isthe dynamic magntieation Factor ofthe th mode for 13, oF 97% when m=) Dynamic magnification factor. The dynamic magnifcatin Factor ofthe ith ‘mode for displacement and aceclration are defined by eqns. (21) and (2) respectively, They are functions of time f, the contact rato a (throug the frequency rato the damping &, andthe numberof Foarier terms The value of peak dynamic magnification factors of the nth Fourier component for displacement and acceleration for ny mode can be defined 4 fllows: 3) sa 2 qlee?) + @nsay Figs 2and 3 show a numberof graphs eating D, and D (n 1 2/3, 12.18, V8) witha selected a) tor various values ofa damping factor £=0.02. ‘ean be concluded fom these figures that (1) resonance can occur when the natural frequency ofthe Moor i equal 10 the dance frequency, oF when i sequal t0 integer multiples of the dance frequency, (2) for resonant excitation (mB =1).D, peak values, {G) for displacemen, the fist Fourier term always provides a signtfant contribution to the magnification factor for every frequency ratio when n> 3-e.g., when «= 23, it provides a dominated contribution when n > 3 (4) The factor for the acceleration for each component is dominated by resonant response (ie, when 1 =I), Unlike the factor forte displacement {he fctor ofeach component as litle effet on its neighbouring componeets Seg. when @= 2/3, this eects negligible for n>, Dra ie. Dy and Di, have the same For dance floors, the fundamental frequency fy is usually higher than the ‘excitation frequency but situations where fy equals fe 2f0F 3, should ‘be avoided. This situation has been observed in pctice™"” and coincides with the first conclusion. However, aj, is a relatively big-scaled aceceraton, thus even aelatvely small dynamic magnifieation facto Dt when if, = fy (4 =4.56...). eur produce significant accelerations Consequently, more Fourier tems may need tobe taken into account in ‘order to calelate acceleration. Determination ofthe number of the Fourier terms required. As iis not ‘desirable to use all the terms in te Fourier series to desribe the loa, itis recessary to elect How many terms of the series should be used in an “analysis, The number shoul be selected according tote significance o he resulting response rather than the accuray ofthe load description. ‘Tho Structural Enginoor/Volume 72/No 3/1 February 1994Papers: Ji/Ellis 7 rr 7 * Pig 2. Dynamic magnification factors for diplacements Examining the charactristes of the dynamie magnification factors, the ‘numberof Fourier terms tobe taken into aocount depends on tei contution to the response, including any possible resonance. It is suggested thatthe fist / Fourier terms should be include in the analysis, where is defined the frst iteger bigger than @ a, ‘This ensures that any resonant excitation of the fundamental mode will be considered. For instance, when 1/B= 2.5, 7=3, andthe first three Fourier terms shouldbe used in the analysis. Eqn. (25) implies that, the stiffer the Noo, the more Fourier terms need o be considered. ‘Simplifcation of the solution (25, Forte inp lope Noor unde a ye on ansmneri noes eed te fo aon Tas, he a gar ode : = 0. = ce & ws. | ge 5 ho m3 | 5 fs which isthe usual case, [Palen >VPitoas ——[Pfifan >| on where |Dy| os and |D+j|n. mean the maximum absolute magnification factors ofthe th move for displacement and acceleration, respectively, The values fr other higher modes are even smaller than |} |e 80 | De thas been shown earir that SiS ew) Substiuting eas. 27) and (28) into eas. 21) and (22) gves Vailas >>14ishmax [Affe >>| Af 29) ‘which indicates thatthe floor response is dominated by the contribution of the fundamental mode andthe response from the higher modes is negligible {or a symmetric dance floor with simply supported boundary conditions Under a symmetric dynamic load. Therefore, only the response from the fundamental mode needs tobe considered, Extension ofthe solution ‘The simplification discussed previously can be applied to other stractures with diferent boundary conditions. The dificult encountered i in choosing suitable displacement functions. However, the simplified solution for the ‘imply supponed lors applicable fora lor under exer symmetric boundary conditions since, under uniformly distlbuted load, no antisymmetric modes ar involved in the floor vibration. Therefore, only the fundamental mode needs to be considered, and the shape of this mode is relatively easy 10 choose with sufficient accuray for many common cases. The response of a floor or other structre can be approximated by the contribution of the fundamental mode wey) AW Wale) 20) ‘where W,(&y) is the dimensionless fundamental mode with unit peak value TABLE 3 ~ Approximate structural actors for several common cases and Ais the generalised co-ordinate coresponding ote fist mde. Using the procedure shown inthe last subsection, the solution has the following form 1 Fi.0+ Ay =f.0* Dy, BD Anat = Banh oo) wher Dy and Dry ae the dynamic agin hrs fr the Sinead cern dtc megan 2B eed selec aco ih elo nda dh eed onl on te pe of stot (ean, pact) x Body Srmtos esti sndclanged spe, Compan eG a Ce eee lotsa fnton of in and te Rr ae unfolded ips, sel tr ct ating oe slat pote, be Sette lowes Ihoacrsrta [vienna Sometimes te mae shape W; (9) sift fn, bt an ase one tht asf e bondary ces ca bused etn proximation So a8 a normalised deflection under uniform static load. Table 3 provides approximate structural coefficients for severl symmetric structures oy Using dynamic measurements in the analysis FFor checking the safety and serviceability of existing dance floors, it is 10 2, Conetusions ‘This paper presens a method for calculating the response of floors to loads from dancing involving jumping or aerobcs-ype exercises. The conclusions tbe drawn from this study re: (1) Dance-ype loads where jumping s involved an be expressed anal telly ‘sing Fourier series in which the Fourier coefficients, or dynamic load factors, area function ofthe contact tio which relates tothe dance activities and ance frequency. (2) For the vibration of a simply supported rectangular oor under symmetric «dynamic loads, the response of the fundamental mode can represent the ‘whole response reasonably accurately. Furthermore by defining the suctural factor (eqn. (33)), the solution can be applied to her structures with different boundary conditions. (@) A possible esonanee, due to higher Fourier components (n> 3) ofthe Toad, is predicted which is panicularly important if calculations of Noor ‘accelerations are required. This resonance can occur ona relatively sit Aoor (fi. > 1012). (4) The numberof Fourier terms required in an analysis can be determined using eqn. (25) ands dependent on the load frequency andthe fundamental frequency ofthe flor. ‘The results from the proposed method, including the prediction of a fe | i uf 2 | 4-000) 1 001, ea Acceleration al) == a3Papers: Ji/Bllis possible resonance are verified by experimental measurements, numerical analysis and published data ina separate pape’. Purher theoretical work is required to develop the proposed method 0 deal with te case where the ddance-type loads are noa-uniformly disteibuted and other structures, such as grandstands, where dance-type loads are encountered References 1. BS 6399: Parr I: Loadings jor buildings, London, British Standards Institution, 1988 Alle, D.E., Ruiner, JH. and Pernica, G. ‘Vibration criteria for assembly occupancies’, Canadian Journal of Civil Engineering, 12, No. 3, 1985, pp617-623, 3. National Building Code of Canada, Ouawa, National Research Council of Canada, 1985 4. Supplement to the National Building Code of Canada: No. 1, Commentary A: serviceability criteria for deflections and vibrations ‘Ouasa, National Research Council of Canad, 1985 5. Ohlsson, S. Vi “Ten years of floor vibration rescarch~ a review of aspects and some results", Sympostun/Workshop on Serviceabilty of ‘Buildings (Movements. Deformations, Vibrations), University of ‘Oniawa, Canada, 16-18 May, 1988 6. Ells, B. R, Ji, T= "Floor vibration induced by dance-type loads \etification®, The Structural Engineer. 72. No.3, | February 194 1. Bachmann, H., Ammann, W.: Vibration in srutures ~ ined by man and machines, JABSE-AIPCVBH, Zurich, 1987 8. Tuan, C. Y., Saul, W. Ex “Loads due to spectator movements’ of Sirutural Engineering, ASCE, 111, No.2, 1985, pp41 8-434 9, Nilson. L: Impact loads prxdced by uma motion: Part I Background ‘and experimental investigation: Document D1i:1976, tockho, Swedish Counc for Bufiding Rescarch 10, Pernica, "Dynamic lod factors fr pedestrian movements and yt exercises’, Canadian Acoustics, 18, No.2 1990, pp3-18 11, Rainer. JH, Pomiea, Gand Ales, D.E. “Dynaiic loading and response af footbridge’, Canadian Jourua of Civil Engineering, 18,1987, pp ” 12. Alle, D.E.: Floor vibration from Aerobie’, Canada Journal of Csi Engineering, YP, No. 5, 1990, pp77-779 13. Ji Elis, BR: "Evaluation of dynamic ew effects for dance load Colloquium on SiractaralServiceabilof Buildings, Gotebons, Sweden. 5-11 June, 1993 14. Timoshenko, S.. Woinowsky-Krieger S: Theory of plates and shell ‘MoGra-Hil, 1982 15. Clough, R. W, Pezien, J: Dynamics of structures, New York, McGraw: Hill, 1975, 16, Allen, D. Es “Building vibration from human activity”. Concrete Intemational: Design and Consiucton, 12, No.6, 1990, pp66-73, 17, Bachmann, H. “Vibrations of building sirictures caused by human activities: ease study of a gymnasium’. Techical Translation No TT: 2077, Onawa, National Research Council of Canada, 1984 18 Osborne, K.P. Ellis, B. R Vibration design and testing ofa fong-span lightweight lor. The Srucraral Engineer, 68, No. 10 199, pp81-186 19, Comite Euro-Inerational du Beton: Vibration poblems in structures — ‘practical guidelines, 1991 Appendix A. The procedure for calculating the response of a floor to dance-type loads ‘The procedure required for calulating the response tthe conte of a Noor is summarised here. The ealulted displacements ar key to provide information for safety assessments, whereas the accelerations provide information for serviceability (1) Evaluation ofthe characteristics ofthe bare oor This includes —the fundamental frequency 0 (24) =the sructural coefficient, the mass (excluding the mass ofthe dancers) =the damping value & Table 3 gives typical valves ofthe ist Ho items for floors wth symmetric boundary conditions. Alternatively, fran existing Mo, measurements could be sed “4 (2) Fvntuation of the loads “Tis requires the following: (a) The load density Go the number and weight of dancers in given area (by The dance freauency f. which is likely to be in the range 15-35 Hz Sever dance frequencies may ned tobe evaluate with the dance peiod (fj) which s integer number multiple ofthe Mor pera kel o produce the ages accelerations. le) The comtact ratio, for cach dance ativty. This may be chosen from Table | nel 6 for ifeent aetivtes, and several valves may need 1 be evaluate, (@) The dynamic crowd eect. Te likely atemuation of loading due othe row effect should be considered” (3) Cateaation of the dynamic response Having determined the structural characterises, he response can be caeulated for each load condition in tun. The following items crable the respons time history tobe calcusted over a ered and considers only the Fundamental mode (a) Determine the nurserof Fourie erm to use the calculation fom ea 5). (b) Determine the dynamic magnfiation factors for displacement Dy, and acceleration D> using eqns (21) and (2), (Ge) Calculate he displacement an acceleration time histories ofthe cere oF the floor using ers (31) and (32) I test resus are available, either fens. (31) and (32) or eqns, (4 and (35) a be un iginoor! Volume 72/No 3/1 February 1994