Computers and Structures 81 (2003) 1905–1913

www.elsevier.com/locate/compstruc

An evaluation of the dynamical performance

of composite slabs
J.G.S. da Silva a,*, P.C.G. da S. Vellasco b, S.A.L. de Andrade b,c
,
F.J. da C.P. Soeiro a, R.N. Werneck b
a
Department of Mechanical Engineering, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
b
Department of Structural Engineering, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
c
Department of Civil Engineering, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Received 6 December 2001; accepted 14 February 2003

Abstract
The competitive trends of the world market have long been forcing structural engineers to develop minimum weight
and labour cost solutions. A direct consequence of this new design trend is a considerable increase in problems related
to unwanted floor vibrations. This phenomenon is very frequent in a wide range of structures subjected to rhythmic
dynamical load actions. These load actions are generally caused by human rhythmic activities such as: musical and or
sporting events, dance or even gymnastics. The main objective of this paper is to investigate the structural behaviour of
commonly used composite floors subjected to rhythmic dynamical load actions identifying the occurrence of unwanted
vibrations that could cause human discomfort or, in extreme cases, structural failure.
Ó 2003 Civil-Comp Ltd. and Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Keywords: Dynamic; Vibrations; Steel structures; Composite floors; Human comfort; Dynamic structural design; Rhythmic dynamical
loads; Human rhythmic activities

1. Introduction quent in a wide range of structures subjected to rhythmic

The fearsome competition of the global market has
forced structural designers to develop minimum weight
and labour cost solutions, as well as to increase the
construction speed. This procedure has produced slender
structural solutions, modifying the ultimate and ser-
viceability limiting states that govern their structural
behaviour.
A direct consequence of this new design trend is a
considerable increase in the problems related to un-
wanted floor vibrations. This phenomenon is very fre-
* Proper consideration of all the aspects mentioned
Corresponding author. Address: Rua Padre Achotegui No.
37, Apartment 1503, 22430 090 Leblon, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Tel./fax: +55-21-2587-7537.
E-mail addresses: jgss@eng.uerj.br, jgss@uerj.br (J.G.S. da
Silva).
dynamical load actions. These load actions are generally
caused by human rhythmic activities such as: musical,
sporting events, dance or even gymnastics. Another ex-
amples of structures subjected to vibration problems can
be found in floors used to support electrical engines or in
others elements subjected to impact load actions [1–5].
The significant growth in building floors subjected to
unwanted vibrations is caused by the fact that a signif-
icant number of structural engineers disregards, or even
do not know how to incorporate the dynamical actions
in the structural analysis. This procedure limits current
structural designs to a simple static analysis, which, in
extreme cases, can compromise the structure behaviour.
earlier motivated an investigation of the structural be-
haviour of commonly used composite floors subjected to
rhythmic dynamical load actions. The main objective of
this paper is to study the use of these structural systems

0045-7949/03/$ - see front matter Ó 2003 Civil-Comp Ltd. and Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
doi:10.1016/S0045-7949(03)00210-4
1906 J.G.S. da Silva et al. / Computers and Structures 81 (2003) 1905–1913
taking into account the possibility of occurrence of un-
wanted vibrations that could cause human discomfort or
structural failure.
The evaluation of the structural system vibration
serviceability limit state requires the knowledge of the
structure dynamical response. Alternatively, simple
procedures for the evaluation of the system vibration
levels are found in composite and steel design standards.
These recommendations are based on parameters like:
structure and excitation frequencies, accelerations, ve-
locities and displacements.
This work presents and discusses results associated
with the characterization of the structureÕs natural fre-
quencies. This is followed by a comparison of the exci-
tation frequencies. Afterwards, results of an extensive
computational analysis performed to obtain the struc-
ture dynamic response, based on accelerations, velocities
and displacements, are depicted.
The results are obtained from an elastic linear anal-
ysis based on a finite element model using the ANSYS
program [6]. A practical example associated with a
composite floor designed for to gymnastic activities is
considered. In the developed finite elements model,
three-dimensional beam elements simulate the primary
and secondary girder systems, where the flexural and
torsional effects are considered. The concrete slab is
represented by shell finite elements.
The investigated structural system response, obtained
from finite element method simulations, is compared
with experimental and theoretical results available in
literature. This work also aimed to investigate the
composite slab performance, subjected to rhythmic dy-
namic excitations, regarding human comfort associated
with its vibration serviceability limit state. Finally the
finite element model response is compared with the
limiting values proposed by several authors [1,2,7].
2. Dynamical loads induced by humans
The type of dynamic loading considered in this paper
is induced by human activities. These dynamic actions
occur basically in structures like: footbridges, gymnasi-
ums and floors subjected to rhythmic human activities,
such as dance, aerobic activities and so forth.
In order to eliminate excessive vibration problems in
the structures subjected to that type of loading, generally
it is recommended to alter the global stiffness or the
stiffness of certain elements. Alternatively it is possible
to install vibration absorbers, or even to restrain struc-
ture use in situations where critical dynamical loads in-
duced by people occurs.
Some experimental evidence should be considered in
the analysis of structures submitted to dynamic excita-
tions induced by humans. One of the difficulties in
analysing highly loaded slabs regards how to consider the
human mass, since it controls important characteristics
of the structural system, such as the fundamental fre-
quency. If this parameter is not properly considered the
structure dynamic response can be substantially changed.
A criterion usually adopted is to consider the people
as a mass added to the global structure mass, which
implies in a mass increase and in a reduction of the
fundamental frequency. However, some considerations
based on the physical phenomenon associated with this
problem suggest that people should be strictly modelled
as an additional system mass-spring-damper [1].
Based on several investigations widely available on
this subject, it can be verified that in the case of people
jumping with the two feet simultaneously, or during
activities in which the contact of people with the struc-
ture is relatively short, the peoplesÕ mass is not vibrating
together with the mass of the structural system. In ad-
dition, the human involvement, in these cases, is re-
stricted to the induction of loads not including any
additional mass to the system. Such conclusion was
obtained through experimental tests, where it was ob-
served that the dynamic characteristics of the investi-
gated system (simply supported beam with a 3.0 m
span), such as natural frequency and damping, were not
modified by the human presence [1].
The results of the present investigation considered
the response of slabs submitted to dynamic excitations.
One example of human induced dynamic excitations is
jumping movements on the structural system. When this
case was simulated the human involvement was only
taken as a load action disregarding any mass increase.
It should be also stressed that the dynamic actions
induced by human beings can be periodic or transient.
The periodic dynamic loads are primarily characterized
by excitations repeated through time, such as walking,
running, jumping and so forth. Regarding the transient
dynamic loads, they are caused by a single movement
represented by impulsive loadings over a certain struc-
tural element, as in the case of diving pool platforms.
Another important fact related to this kind of load-
ing refers to the body contact with the structural system.
This contact can be continuous or not. There are also
factors that could alter the behaviour like: the influence
of the surface roughness (caused by the shoe), besides
sex, weight and other personal characteristics. Finally, it
can be also mentioned that the number of people that
will accomplish a certain kind of action on the structural
system must be properly considered, in other words, the
group effect. It is clearly that there are several factors
that contribute to the vibration of composite slabs when
they are subject to human action [1].
3. Dynamical loading modelling
The first step of a dynamic analysis concerns the
identification and distinction of the various load fre-
 J.G.S. da Silva et al. / Computers and Structures 81 (2003) 1905–1913 1907

Table 1 third harmonics, DP 2 and P 3, are equal to 0.1P , for

Load frequencies induced by humans fp ¼ 2:0 Hz [1,2,8].
Type of human induced Velocity Step size Frequency The phase angles /1 and /2 depend on several fac-
dynamic loads t (m/s) lp (m) fp (Hz) tors, and should represent the most unfavourable load
Slow walk 1.10 0.60 1.70 combinations. However, these phase angles do not sig-
Standard walk 1.50 0.75 2.00 nificantly affect the structural system response, regarding
Fast walk 2.20 1.00 2.30 the human walking dynamic loads, since this pheno-
Standard run 3.30 1.30 2.50 menon is usually governed by one single harmonic.
Fast run 5.50 1.75 3.20 A discontinuous contact dynamic excitation is rep-
resented by a half sinusoidal curve during the contact,
while presenting a zero load value when the contact is
lost, as presented in Eq. (2) [1,2,8]. In Eq. (2), tp repre-
quencies induced by humans. Initially the load fre- sents the human step duration, Tp is the step period
quencies induced by human walking and running are defined by the relationship 1=fp and the variable kp is
considered. These dynamical load types are frequent in defined by the ratio F ðtÞmax =P . In this expression, F ðtÞmax
footbridge structures. Previous investigations demon- is the maximum amplitude of the sinusoidal function
strated the interdependency of parameters like: humanÕs and P is the individual weight, as presented in Fig. 1.
walking velocity, t, the step size, lp , and its frequency,
fp . Table 1 presents some of this mean values [2]. F ðtÞ ¼ kp P sinðpfp tÞ; for t < tp
The Canadian Steel Buildings Design Standard,
and F ðtÞ ¼ 0; for tp < t < Tp ð2Þ
CAN/CSA-S16.1-94 [7], considers that individuals or
human groups can generate periodic forces with asso-
ciated frequency ranging approximately from 1.0 to 4.0 Another kind of human induced dynamic loading is as-
Hz. It is clearly noticed, that the specified Canadian sociated with jumping. This excitation usually happens
Standard human induced frequencies [7] are covered in in gymnasiums, stadiums, ballrooms or even gymnastics
Table 1 [2]. rooms. For design purposes, a frequency range from
Regarding the mathematical modelling of these dy- 1.80 to 3.40 Hz is generally considered for the excitation
namical loads, two cases are investigated. The first frequency, which is very frequently governed by the
named ‘‘walking’’ is the case in which the individual music rhythm. The sinusoidal half curve is also used for
maintains a continuous contact with the structural sys- the modelling of this kind of loading, as shown in Fig. 1.
tem surface, while the second denominated ‘‘running’’ This situation, associated with individuals jumping on
occurs when that contact is discontinuous. the structural system, considers that the human group
In the case of a continuous contact with the surface, effect leads to a linear increase of the maximum dynamic
it is common to use a general expression for the exci- loading, depending only on the number of people load-
tation produced by an individual throughout time. ing the structural system [1,2,8].
These loads are produced with both feet, as function of a Another case regarding dynamic excitations induced
static parcel associated with the individual weight and by man is the dance, which can occur in rock concerts.
three harmonic loading components parcels. These For design purposes, it is generally considered a fre-
harmonic loads are due to the interaction between the quency band ranging from 1.60 to 3.00 Hz for the ex-
load increase represented by one of the individual foot citing frequency, which is also often governed by the
and by the simultaneous unloading of the other foot, as music rhythm [1,2,8]. Another more conservative fre-
shown in Eq. (1) [1,2,8]. quency band can be adopted i.e. between 1.50 and 3.50
Hz [1,2,8]. The same mathematical modelling adopted
F ðtÞ ¼ P þ DP1 sinð2pfp tÞ þ DP2 sinð4pfp t  /1 Þ
þ DP3 sinð6pfp t  /2 Þ ð1Þ
F(t)

In Eq. (1), P represents the load static parcel, corre-

sponding to the individual weight. The magnitudes DP1 ,
DP2 and DP3 are associated with harmonic amplitudes, F(t)máx
and fp , /1 and /2 refer respectively to the frequency of
the human step and to the harmonic phase angles.
Previous investigations consider, in Eq. (1), that the
weight P is equal to 800 N [1,2,8]. The first harmonic P
amplitude DP1 is equal to 0.4P , for fp ¼ 2:0 Hz, and 0 tp Tp t
0.5P , for fp ¼ 2:4 Hz, considering an interpolation
among this values in intermediate cases. The second and Fig. 1. Discontinuous contact dynamic excitation.
1908 J.G.S. da Silva et al. / Computers and Structures 81 (2003) 1905–1913

for the continuous loading, similar to walking is rec-
ommended for this case, Eq. (1).
4. Structural model
One of the major goals of this investigation is to
consider the human dynamic excitations such as jump-
ing in gymnastics. A detailed definition of this type of
loading was described in the second and third sections of
the present paper. Those dynamics actions are applied
on the composite slab, as shown in Fig. 2.
The composite floor studied in this work, spanning
43.7 by 14.0 m, is currently used for gymnastics [5]. The
structural system is constituted of composite girders.
The 150 mm thick composite slab uses a steel deck with
the following geometrical characteristics: 0.80 mm
thickness, and 75 mm flute height, as shown in Figs. 2
and 3, respectively.
The steel sections used were welded wide flanges
(WWF) made with a 300 MPa yield stress steel grade. A
2:05  105 MPa YoungÕs modulus was adopted for the
steel beams and deck. The concrete slab possesses a 20
MPa specified compression strength and a 2:35  105
MPa YoungÕs modulus [5].
However, according to Ref. [9], in such situations
where the composite slab is submitted to dynamic exci-
tations the concrete becomes stiffer than that case when
it is submitted to pure static loads. This fact suggests a
35% increase in the conventional concrete YoungÕs
modulus [9].
The structureÕs permanent load and the gymnastics
live load were equal to 3.5 and 0.2 kN/m2 respectively.
This study adopts simple steel connections in the sup-
ports of the secondary beam system [5].
Table 2 depicts the geometrical characteristics of all
the steel sections used in the structural model, presented
in Figs. 2 and 3. It is important to emphasize that there
was a haunch present in the extreme spans of V1 to V4

Fig. 2. The structural model.

150.0mm
75.0mm
75.0mm

0.8mm

Fig. 3. Typical composite slab cross section––Section AA.

 J.G.S. da Silva et al. / Computers and Structures 81 (2003) 1905–1913
Table 2
Geometrical characteristics of the beam steel sections
Beams Height (mm) Flange width
(mm)
V1–V4 1400 350
V5 700 200
V6–V7 600 150
V8–V12 250 130
V9 400 200
V10–V11 400 150
girders. The minimum height of the steel sections near
support was equal to 460.0 mm [5].
5. Computational model
The proposed computational model, developed for
the composite slab dynamic analysis, adopted the usual
mesh refinement techniques present in finite element
method simulations implemented in the ANSYS pro-
gram [6].
In the developed finite element model, floor steel
girders are represented by three-dimensional beam ele-
ments, where flexural and torsion effects are considered.
The composite slab is represented by shell finite ele-
ments. It should also be understood that, in order to
simplify the analysis, only the cover slab, i.e. 75 mm
thick, was considered in the finite element analysis.
Seven different computational models were devel-
oped based on variations of the required numbers of
degrees of freedom (from 4620 to 69510 DOF) necessary
to establish a suitable finite element mesh for the
structural system.
6. Dynamic analysis of the composite slab system
This section presents the evaluation of the structural
system vibration levels when submitted to dynamic ex-
citations coming from gymnastics. The composite floor
dynamic response was determined through an analysis
of its natural frequencies, displacements, velocities and
accelerations.
The live load considered in this analysis regarded one
human for each 4.0 m2 , corresponding to 0.25 human/
m2 . It is also assumed that an individual human weight
was equal to 800 N [2]. The results of the dynamic
analysis were obtained from an extensive numeric
analysis, based on the finite element method utilising the
ANSYS program [6].
With the objective of evaluating both quantitative
and qualitatively the results obtained according to the
proposed methodology, response spectra were pro-
duced, for the frequency range considered, in accor-
1909
Top flange thickness Bottom flange thickness Web thickness
(mm) (mm) (mm)
12.5 12.5 12.5
8.0 8.0 8.0
6.3 6.3 6.3
6.3 6.3 4.75
6.3 6.3 4.75
6.3 6.3 4.75
dance to the composite floor dynamic characteristics.
This was done by varying of a frequency parameter, b.
This parameter is defined by the f =f01 ratio, where f
represents the excitation frequency, regarding the gym-
nastics human induction, and f01 is the composite floor
first natural frequency.
The response spectra were obtained for representa-
tion of the composite floor dynamic response under the
action of the dynamic loadings. This spectrum is related
to the vertical displacements, and to the amplification
factor, FA. The amplification factor, FA, is defined by
the relationship v=vest , in which v and vest represent the
vertical displacements obtained in the dynamic and
static analysis, respectively.
This section finalizes with the determination of the
composite floor velocities and critical accelerations.
These values were then compared to those specified in
current design standards [2,7,10] to evaluate a possible
occurrence of unwanted excessive vibration levels and
human comfort.
6.1. Natural frequencies and vibration modes analysis
Seven different models varying the number of degrees
of freedom of the structural system produced funda-
mental frequencies responses depicted in Fig. 4. This
figure also presents experimental results for the funda-
mental frequency of the investigated composite floor.
It can be clearly noticed from Fig. 4 and Table 3
results, that there is a very good agreement between the
finite elements frequencies values and the experimental
test frequencies [5]. Such a fact validates all the numer-
ical models here presented, as well as the results and
conclusions obtained throughout this work.
Figs. 5–8 illustrate the vibration mode corresponding
to the fundamental frequency of the studied structural
system considering different computational models.
Small differences are observed in the final configuration
of the vibration modes obtained in this work, when
compared to Ref. [5]. This can be explained by slightly
different boundary conditions, used in the computa-
tional models here compared. Despite this fact, the
natural frequencies values found in both simulations
were similar, as shown in Table 3.
1910 J.G.S. da Silva et al. / Computers and Structures 81 (2003) 1905–1913

Fig. 6. Vibration mode associated with the first natural fre-

quency: f01 ¼ 10:16 Hz. Computational model with 13 362 de-
grees of freedom.

Fig. 4. Composite floor fundamental frequency convergence.

Table 3
Composite floor natural frequencies
Natural frequencies Natural Fundamental
f0i (Hz) frequencies frequency
numerical experimental
analysis f0i tests [5] f01
(Hz) (Hz)
First frequency: f01 10.20 9.50
Second frequency: f02 10.61
Third frequency: f03 11.00
Fourth frequency: f04 11.35 Fig. 7. Vibration mode associated with the first natural fre-
Computational model with 18 012 degrees of freedom. quency: f01 ¼ 10:20 Hz. Computational model with 18 012 de-
grees of freedom.

Fig. 5. Vibration mode associated with the first natural fre- Fig. 8. Vibration mode associated with the first natural fre-
quency: f01 ¼ 10:00 Hz. Computational model with 4620 de- quency: f01 ¼ 10:30 Hz. Computational model with 69 510 de-
grees of freedom. grees of freedom.

Based on the conclusion that only a slight variation only the dynamic results (natural frequencies, displace-
of results occurred for the seven investigated models ments, velocities and accelerations) for the model with
 J.G.S. da Silva et al. / Computers and Structures 81 (2003) 1905–1913
18 012 degrees of freedom will be presented in the fol-
lowing sections of the current paper.
6.2. Analysis of the response spectra
The dynamical analysis proceeded with the evalua-
tion of the composite floor response spectrum. This re-
sponse spectrum, Fig. 9, depicts the dynamic response of
the composite floor submitted to gymnastics dynamic
excitations for a wide frequency range (up to 30 Hz). As
mentioned earlier, the response spectra here presented is
related to the model with 18 012 degrees of freedom.
The response spectrum, shown in Fig. 9, presents
peak dynamic effects associated with frequency para-
meter, b, ranging from 0.7 to 1.5. This spectrum fre-
quency range corresponds to values of the frequency
parameter, b, close to unity. This fact can be explained if
the excitation frequency, f , associated, for instance with
multiple of the first harmonic of the dynamic loading
(1.80–3.40 Hz) [1,2,8], and the composite floor funda-
mental frequency, f01 , equal to 10.20 Hz, coincides. An
extra peak on the response spectrum was observed for
high natural frequencies associated to a frequency pa-
rameter, b, close to 1.3.
In the case of systems with several degrees of free-
dom, the resonance physical phenomenon can happen
when one of the structure natural frequencies is equal, or
is very close to the excitation frequency. Ref. [2] de-
scribes a situation in which a footbridge with a funda-
mental frequency of 8.0 Hz presented the resonance
phenomenon for a human induced frequency of 3.70 Hz.
Such a phenomenon is due to the fact that the third
dynamic loading harmonic frequency, 11.10 Hz, excited
the structure second natural frequency, 11.10 Hz.
The level of the dynamic effects on the studied
structural system can be considered small when the ex-
Fig. 9. Composite floor response spectrum. Computational
model with 18 012 degrees of freedom.
1911
citation frequency range of the response spectrum lo-
cated between 1.0 and 5.0 Hz ðb 6 0:5Þ, is considered,
Fig. 9. It is also observed that the maximum value of
the amplification factor, FA, equal in this case to 19.0,
occurs for the peak dynamical effects corresponding to
values of the frequency parameter, b, close to unity, as
illustrated in Fig. 9. This maximum amplification value
will lead to vertical displacements that induce excessive
vibrations, compromising human comfort conditions
and even jeopardising the structural system integrity.
6.3. Analysis of maximum velocities and accelerations
The present study proceeds with the evaluation of the
composite floor performance in terms of human comfort
and vibration serviceability limit states. The first step of
this procedure concerns the determination of the com-
posite floor maximum velocities and accelerations.
These values, obtained numerically with the aid of the
proposed computational models, were then compared
with the limiting values proposed by several authors
[2,7,10].
The variation of the number of degrees of freedom of
the model over the system maximum velocities and ac-
celerations is presented in Tables 4 and 5.
The number of degrees of freedom present in the
investigated models had a very small influence over the
system velocities and accelerations, Tables 4 and 5. It is
also clear from these results that models with more than
18 012 presented almost the same response, fact that
corroborates the idea that a numerical convergence was
reached in the analysis. With this conclusion in mind all
the velocities and acceleration results that will be pre-
sented are related to the model with 18 012 degrees of
freedom.
The composite floor maximum velocities for excita-
tion frequencies of 3.0 and 4.0 Hz are presented in the
Figs. 10 and 11, respectively.
Table 4
Composite floor maximum velocities: f ¼ 3:0 Hz and f ¼ 4:0
Hz
Degrees of freedom Maximum velocities (m/s)
Excitation Excitation
frequency: frequency:
f ¼ 3:0 Hz f ¼ 4:0 Hz
4620 0.0072 0.0105
8898 0.0069 0.0101
13 362 0.0068 0.0099
18 012 0.0067 0.0098
23 778 0.0067 0.0097
46 818 0.0067 0.0097
69 510 0.0067 0.0097
Computational model with 18 012 degrees of freedom.
1912 J.G.S. da Silva et al. / Computers and Structures 81 (2003) 1905–1913

Table 5 Fig. 11 and Table 4, it can be concluded that the com-

Composite floor maximum accelerations: f ¼ 3:0 Hz and posite floor did not present excessive vibrations.
f ¼ 4:0 Hz Another less conservative criterion recommends that
Degrees of freedom Maximum accelerations (%g) the velocities should be limited to 15.0 mm/s [10]. The
Excitation Excitation dynamic analysis velocities, as previously stated are
frequency: frequency: significantly less than this limiting value, disregarding
f ¼ 3:0 Hz f ¼ 4:0 Hz the occurrence of unwanted excessive vibrations.
4620 1.39%g 2.71%g The next step concerns the evaluation of the com-
8898 1.34%g 2.60%g posite floor maximum accelerations values induced by
13 362 1.32%g 2.55%g gymnastics dynamic loads. Figs. 12 and 13 present the
18 012 1.30%g 2.51%g composite floor maximum accelerations for excitation
23 778 1.30%g 2.50%g frequencies of 3.0 and 4.0 Hz, respectively.
46 818 1.30%g 2.50%g The Canadian Standard [7] specifies limiting accel-
69 510 1.29%g 2.49%g erations values for human comfort, without considering
Computational model with 18 012 degrees of freedom. their associated natural vibration frequencies. Those
values are expressed exclusively in terms of gravity ac-
celeration (g ¼ 9:81 m/s2 ), in percentage. The referred
The German Standard DIN 4150, described in Ref. standard recommends a limiting value for the composite
[2], limits the composite floors velocities up to values of floor accelerations used for: gymnastics, music halls and
10.0 mm/s not to violate the acceptable vibration level sports arenas to a value of 5%g [7]. The composite floor
for structural safety, although, in the limit cases, small maximum accelerations values were equal to 1.30%g
wall cracking can appear. When this criterion is applied (f ¼ 3 Hz), Fig. 12 and Table 5, and 2.51%g (f ¼ 4:0
to the composite floor maximum velocities values of the Hz), Fig. 13 and Table 5. These values indicate that the
studied structural system, equal to 6.7 mm/s (f ¼ 3:0 floor did not present problems related with human
Hz), Fig. 10 and Table 4, and 9.8 mm/s (f ¼ 4:0 Hz), comfort.

Fig. 10. Composite floor maximum velocities: f ¼ 3:0 Hz. Fig. 12. Composite floor maximum accelerations: f ¼ 3:0 Hz.
Computational model with 18 012 degrees of freedom. Computational model with 18 012 degrees of freedom.

Fig. 11. Composite floor maximum velocities: f ¼ 4:0 Hz. Fig. 13. Composite floor maximum accelerations: f ¼ 4:0 Hz.
Computational model with 18 012 degrees of freedom. Computational model with 18 012 degrees of freedom.
 J.G.S. da Silva et al. / Computers and Structures 81 (2003) 1905–1913
Another author recommendations represented indi-
cations of accelerations limiting values suggested in Ref.
[2] and should be used with caution as stated in specific
design standards. According to Ref. [2], a limiting value
of 10%g could be accepted for slabs designed for sport
practice, music concerts and dance. This limiting value
gives assurance that the composite floor satisfies its
purpose without presenting any human discomfort.
7. Final remarks
This work presents a contribution for the evaluation
of the structural behaviour of composite floors submit-
ted to human induced dynamic excitations, such as
rhythmical activities proceeding from gymnastics, mu-
sical and sports events and ballroom dances.
The proposed methodology considers the investiga-
tion of the linear dynamic behaviour, in terms of a ser-
viceability limit states, of a building floor made with a
structural system constituted by composite slab system
with wide welded flange (WWF), steel beams and a steel
deck.
A finite element computational model was developed
using the ANSYS program. The model enabled a com-
plete dynamical evaluation of the investigated composite
floor system especially in terms of human comfort and
its vibration serviceability limit states.
Only a slight variation of results (natural frequencies,
displacements, velocities and accelerations) occurred for
the seven investigated models with different numbers of
degrees of freedom. A convergence study showed that
models with more than 18 012 degrees of freedom did
not lead to any significant change in the composite floor
dynamical response.
The system dynamic response in terms of displace-
ment amplitudes, velocities and accelerations, was ob-
tained and compared with the limiting values proposed
by several authors and design standards. The maximum
amplification factor displacement value was equal to
19.0. The maximum values found for the velocity and
acceleration were 9.8 mm/s (f ¼ 4:0 Hz) and 2.51%g
(f ¼ 4:0 Hz), respectively, while the maximum accepted
values for the velocity and acceleration were 10.0 mm/s
and 5%g, respectively. The results obtained throughout
the investigation indicated that the composite floor
analysed in this work satisfied the human comfort cri-
teria, as well as its vibration serviceability limit states.
One of the most commonly used solutions to better
represent composite floor with steel decks is to consider
1913
an orthotropic system. The major direction is parallel to
the span of the slab ribs. This investigation will proceed
with a parametric study using the orthotropic solution
for the concrete slab. The study is focused on the use of
different steel deck geometries and their influence in the
dynamical response of the structural system.
Acknowledgements
The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial
support for this work provided by UERJ, State Uni-
versity of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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