Coursework Problem 1: SDOF Systems

Two undamped SDOF systems are defined as follows:

System 1*: f n = 4.5 Hz and m = 6500 kg .
†
System 2 : f n = 0.2 Hz and m = 6500 kg .
The exercises should be performed using NDOF MATLAB based software‡.
Question 1: Calculate angular natural frequency ωn and stiffness k of Systems 1 and 2.
Question 2: For the given floor frequency system and initial conditions x ( 0 ) =0.05 m and
v ( 0 ) =1 m/s , simulate the first 0.5 s of vibration and plot:
a) Displacement, velocity and acceleration time histories and record their
amplitudes. Are absolute values of acceleration amplitudes higher than the
absolute values of displacement amplitudes? If yes, why?
b) Spring force and inertial force and their sum. What is the relationship
between the spring and inertia forces and their sum?
c) Animate the response of the SDOF system§.
Question 3: Apply initial conditions x ( 0 ) =0.05 m and v ( 0 ) =-1 m/s to both floor- and
low-frequency SDOF systems, plot their displacement time histories and
animate their response. Decide if, for the same initial conditions, the
displacement amplitude of the low-frequency system is: (a) lower, (b) equal or
(c) higher compared with its higher frequency counterpart. Report your
findings.

*
This system corresponds to the first mode of the experimental slab strip at the University of Sheffield which
will be investigated in the experimental part of this module. Also, a natural frequency of 4.5 Hz corresponds to
low-frequency floors in buildings which may experience vibration serviceability problems. It should be noted
that the modal mass and stiffness corresponding to a unity-scaled mode shape of real life building floors tend to
be much higher, but their ratio still leads to a frequency of about 4-7 Hz. This system will be termed the ‘floor-
frequency’ system.
†
The frequency of this system corresponds roughly to the first mode of vibration of a high-rise building, such as
the Arts Tower in Sheffield. Although unrealistic for the first mode of vibration of the Arts Tower, the mass of
this SDOF is assumed to be the same as for System 1, so that comparisons can be made between the ‘floor-
frequency’ system and this system which will be termed the ‘low-frequency’ system.
‡
Instructions as to how to install and run this software are given separately. It should be noted that this software
is also used extensively as a demonstration tool during lectures.
§
This is for information only and is not a part of the formal coursework submission.