CE 9030: Structural Dynamics and Vibrations

Eng. M. Vignarajah

2019

1 Single Degree of Freedom System

Question 1
A single-storey frame is idealized as an SDOF system with mass 10 tonnes, natural
period 0.1s and damping ratio 5%. Ground vibrations caused by a nearby excavation site
are approximated as a sinusoidal with frequency f = 10 Hz and amplitude X0 = 0.2 mm.
Estimate the dynamic response of the structure at roof level.

Question 2
A person jumping regularly on a floor exerts a periodic force that can be approximated
as shown in the Figure (1); when in contact with the floor the vertical force varies as a
cosine function with a peak magnitude of 2.2 kN. They perform two jumps per second
and are in contact with the floor for 50% of the time. The floor is modeled as an SDOF
system with mass 4.8 tonnes, natural frequency 4.5 Hz and 2% of critical damping. Using
a series approximation to the loading, estimate the peak deflection and acceleration of
the floor.

Figure 1: Effect of jumping on floor

Question 3
An explosive blast results in a very sharp rise in pressure, followed by a decay over
a period of up to a few tenths of a second, (see Figure (2)), the exact characteristics
depending on the size and range of the explosion, and the topology of the region through
which the blast wave travels. For a preliminary analysis, this may be treated as a very
short impulse.

Suppose that a moderate-sized explosion produces an impulse on a nearby low-rise

building of 15 kNs. If the building is approximated by an SDOF system having dynamic
mass 2.5 tonnes, natural period 0.2s and 5% damping, estimate its response to the blast.

Figure 2: Response of an SDOF structure to blast wave

Question 4
A damped SDOF system has mass 100 kg, natural frequency 5.0 Hz and damping ratio
0.05. It is loaded by a harmonic force of amplitude 200 N, and whose frequency may
lie anywhere in the range 6–10 Hz. Determine the peak steady state displacement and
acceleration experienced by the mass.

Question 5
The Figure (3) shows an idealised water tower. The mass of the structure is 10 tonnes,
mostly in the tank, and the capacity of the tank is 50 m3 . When full of water, it has a
natural period of lateral vibration of 1.0 s. It is situated in an area of high earthquake
risk; the seismic load is defined by the smoothed response spectrum Figure (4), with a
design peak horizontal ground acceleration of 4 m/s2 . Estimate the base shear force and
moment and the maximum deflection of the tank when the water tower is;

(a) full of water

(b) empty

(Neglect the fact that the water will slosh as the tank shakes. Take the centre of mass to
be at the centre of the tank when full, ad at the base of the tank when empty)
 Figure 3: Water tower

Figure 4: Design spectrum for ground type C