New approach to floor vibration analysis

Abstract

Based on lowest natural frequency and available damping, floor systems are classified under three different categories: 1. Systems that dissipate impact energy within 0.6-0.75 second. Regardless of motion magnitude, humans do not perceive it in such systems as annoying vibration because it decays rapidly. 2. Systems that do not dissipate impact energy quickly. The magnitude and frequency of the motion are such that humans perceive it as slight and acceptable motion. 3. Systems that do not dissipate impact energy quickly. The magnitude and frequency of the motion are such that humans perceive it as distinct and annoying motion. Ninety six tests were investigated representing a wide range of floor systems. Span range from 23 to 95 ft, beam spacing range from 2 to 24 ft and slab thickness range from 2 to 7.5 in. The computer program developed to calculate floor system response history is simple and can be installed on a small personal computer. In addition, the program calculates the response of a floor system excited by any time-dependent force. Therefore, it is possible to study floor systems behavior under exciting forces other than the standard heel-drop impact. For example, the response of a floor system in a health club or a ballroom can be evaluated under the impact of a person jogging, doing aerobics or dancing. The exciting force frequency and magnitude, as well as the perceptibility thresholds, would be different in such cases.