Application of Rotational Measurements in Stiffness Reconstruction of Beams and Frames

A stiffness reconstruction method is tested when rotational degrees of freedom are added to the dynamic model of the structure. The inverse problem is formulated as a minimization problem in terms of harmonic vibrations of the structure and its finite element model. An example of frame structure is analyzed by numerical simulations. The results of these numerical analyses show that the damage detection appeared to be much more effective when the angular amplitudes of harmonic vibrations are acquired. This makes very good prospects for the future applications of angular sensors in damage detection of structures.

Deriving Seismic Surface Rotations for Engineering Purposes

Random Vibrations of Structures under Propagating Excitations

The problem of vibrations of structures under incoherent or, in particular, propagating excitations is important for large, extended civil engineering structures like bridges, lifelines, dams, offshore structures or for aircraft structures. In seismic engineering spatial ground motion models have been studied for more than a decade but credible, stochastic characteristics are available only since SMART-1 accelerograph array is in operation at Lotung in Taiwan.

Rockburst induced ground motion—a comparative study

Abstract While rockbursts from underground copper mining in Western Poland normally produce surface peak ground accelerations (PGA) and velocities of 0.05–0.1 g and 1–3 cm/s, occasionally these peak motions may exceed 0.15 g and 10 cm/s, respectively. These larger motions are of considerable concern and an investigation has been undertaken to define the nature of these larger induced ground motions. This paper compares these rockburst motions with low intensity earthquakes. Various strong motion parameters such as PGA, peak ground velocity (PGV) and displacements as well as strong motion duration, Arias intensity, Fourier and response spectra are compared with those from earthquakes. It is …

Spatial response spectra and site amplification effects

A simplified analysis of local site amplification effects on the seismic response of multi-support structures is presented. The site effects are modeled by considering reflections and transmission of vertically propagating shear waves from bedrock to the surface through a soil layer. A random vibration-based response spectrum of a simple oscillator on two supports, one of which is founded on rock outcrop and the other on soil layer, is formulated in order to study the influence of non-uniform excitations on multi-support structures. Joint inertial and pseudo-static effects in the overall response are studied in detail. The resulting response spectra are formulated as displacement and force …

Reconstruction Problem of Reinforced Concrete Beams under Harmonic Excitations

A damage detection method based on harmonic structural vibrations has been applied to reconstruct realistic damage patterns of reinforced concrete beams. It was shown that the application of a hybrid method (genetic algorithm and Levenberg-Marquardt minimization technique) makes it possible to effectively reconstruct the flexural stiffness drops as small as 10-20% with the maximum error of 4%. The error increases to about 7 to 9% with the presence of 1% measurement noise.

Dynamic identification of a reinforced concrete frame in progressive states of damage

Two, full size, reinforced concrete frames were put on a shaking table and underwent seismic excitations with increasing intensities. The aim of the reported experiment was to study changes in their dynamic, modal parameters due to development of cracks in concrete. Dynamic identification of these frames was carried out through diagnostic tests interlaced with the damaging excitations. This paper presents the results of their identification in various states of damage, using low level non-destructive damage estimation methods. A characteristic decrease of natural frequencies and an increase of structural damping was observed. The drop of the natural frequency was fastest for the 1st mode an…

On the sensitivity of bridge seismic response with local soil amplification

The paper presents a numerical sensitivity study of the local site effects on structural response. Following a recently developed model of spatial coherency and a concept of a simple site coefficient the local site effects are modelled as filtrations of excitation processes with a frequency shift. An analysis of a bridge response with supports founded on different soils is carried out. The joint effects of dynamic response and pseudostatic motion are considered. Two types of response are analysed: longitudinal and transverse. The differences between dynamic displacements and force responses are pointed out.

Modal Analysis of a Reinforced Concrete Frame in Various States of Damage

The purpose of this paper is to report selected results of an experiment in which two, natural size r/c frames were put on shaking table and subjected to a sequence of seismic excitations with increasing intensity interlaced with low level, diagnostic tests. The shaking table experiment aimed at working out new methodology for monitoring vibrations of r/c structures to assess their state. Characteristic decrease of natural frequencies and increase of structural damping was observed and analyzed in detail. It was interesting to note 20 per cent drop in natural frequencies prior to visual detection of any cracks.

Assessment of seismic resistance of masonry structures including boundary conditions

The paper is devoted to the investigation of seismic response of the masonry structure and describes experiences with modelling of boundary conditions during the test of large heavy model on 6DOF shaking table. The main aim of the research was how to increase dynamic resistance capacity of old masonry buildings including the medium and strong seismic effects. The results of theoretical and numerical analyses are compared including initial forecasting calculations made before any test started. The emphasis is given to the boundary conditions reached during the excitation of the large masonry model via shaking table. Strengthening and retrofitting procedures and their effects are discussed wh…