This research project deals with dynamic field testing of light-frame wood buildings with wood based shear walls. The primary objective of the investigation is to evaluate the code formula for estimating light wood frame building’s fundamental period, through intensive field testing and numerical modelling. The project also aims to propose an alternative simplified rational approach where applicable. The thesis provides insight to the ambient vibration testing procedures of light-frame wood buildings and explains the protocol adopted for the current research program. Ambient vibration (AV) field tests were conducted on several multi-storey wood and beam-and-post buildings in Canada. Modal parameters of measured buildings, such as natural frequency, mode shapes and equivalent structural damping were obtained from Frequency Domain (FD) analysis of ambient motion records. Experimental and numerical investigations were performed to evaluate the effect of non-structural components, and the connectivity between firewall-separated buildings, on dynamic properties of light-frame wood buildings. The study provides a reliable expression for building period estimate based on field testing and numerical modeling.

Master of Science / Department of Civil Engineering / Hani G. Melhem / This study reports the results of an analytical, experimental and a numerical study (proof of concept study) on a proposed method for extracting the pseudo-free-vibration response of a structure using ambient vibration, usually of a random nature, as a source of excitation to detect any change in the dynamic properties of a structure that may be caused by damage. The structural response contains not only a random component but also a component reflecting the dynamic properties of the structure, comparable to the free vibration for a given initial condition. Structural response to the arbitrary excitation is recorded by one or several accelerometers with a desired data-collection frequency and resolution. The free-vibration response of the structure is then extracted from this data by removing the random component of the response by the method proposed in this study. The features of the free-vibration response of the structure extracted by a suitable method, namely Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) in this study, can be used for change detection. Possible change of the pattern of these features is dominantly linked to the change in dynamic properties of the system, caused by possible damage. To show the applicability of the concept, besides an analytical verification using Newmark’s linear acceleration method, two steel portal frames with different flexural stiffness were made in the steel workshop of the structural laboratory for an experimental study. These structures were also numerically modeled using a finite element software. A wireless accelerometer with a sampling frequency rate of 2046 Hz was affixed on the top of the physical structure, at the same location where the acceleration was recorded for the corresponding numerical model. The physical structure was excited manually by an arbitrary hit and the response of the structure to this excitation, in terms of the acceleration on the top of the structure, was recorded. The pseudo-free-vibration response was extracted and transferred into frequency domain using FFT. The frequency with the largest magnitude which is the fundamental frequency of the structure was traced. This was repeated for several independent excitations and the fundamental frequencies were observed to be the same, showing that the process can correctly identify the natural frequencies of the structure. Similarly, the numerical model was excited and for several base excitation cases, the fundamental frequencies were found to be the same. Considering the acceptable accuracy of the results from the two numerical models in simulating the response of their corresponding physical models, additional numerical models were analyzed to show the consistency and applicability of the proposed method for a range of flexural stiffness and damping ratio. The results confirm that the proposed method can precisely extract the pseudo-free-vibration response of the structures and detect the structural frequencies regardless of the excitation. The fundamental frequency is tied to the stiffness and a larger stiffness leads to a higher frequency, as expected, regardless of the simulated ambient excitation.

ABSTRACT Forced Vibration Testing and Analysis of Pre- and Post- Retrofit Buildings Erica Dawn Jacobsen The primary goal of the thesis was to detect the retrofit through vibration testing of both buildings. The secondary goal focused on correctly identifying the behavior of the building through FVT, comparing that behavior to computational model predictions, and determining the necessary level of detail to include in the computational modeling. Forced vibration testing (FVT) of two stiff-wall/flexible-diaphragm buildings yielded natural frequencies and mode shapes for the two buildings. The buildings were nearly identical with the exception that one had been retrofitted. Both buildings were comprised of concrete shearwalls and steel moment frames in the north/south direction and moment frames in the east/west direction. The retrofit strengthened the moment connections and added braces to the perimeter walls in the east/west direction. The natural frequencies were found through FVT by setting a 30-lb shaker on the roof of both buildings and sweeping through a range of frequencies in both the east/west and north/south directions. Accelerometers were placed on the building to detect the accelerations. The peaks on the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) graphs indicated the frequencies at which the structure resonated. Mode shapes were tested for by placing the shaker in a position ideal for exciting the mode and setting the shaker to the natural frequency detected from the FFT graphs. The accelerometers were placed around the roof of the building to record the mode shape. After testing, computational models were created to determine if the models could accurately predict the frequencies and mode shapes of the buildings as well as the effect of the retrofit. A series of increasingly complex computational models, ranging from hand calculations to 3D models, were created to determine the level of detail necessary to predict the building behavior. Natural frequencies were the primary criteria used to determine whether the model accurately predicted the building behavior. The mid-diaphragm deflection and base shear from spectral analysis were the final criteria used to compare these select models. It was determined that in order to properly capture the modal behavior of the building, the sawtooth framing, major beams, and the lateral-force-resisting-system (LFRS) must be modeled. Though the mode shape of the building is dominated by the flexible diaphragm, the LFRS is necessary to model to accurately predict both the natural frequency of the building as well as the diaphragm deflection.

Dynamic instrumentation and a series of ambient vibration tests were performed on a four storey strengthened R/C building within the scope of this study. Traffic load and wind load were accepted as natural dynamic loads and the vibrations were recorded by sensitive accelerometers.For that study, 12 uniaxial, 1 triaxial accelerometers and a 15 channel data logger system were used. Four sets of dynamic measurements were recorded over a period of 6 months. Recorded readings were analyzed using UPC, PC and CVA algorithms and Artemis software. The natural freqeuncies, mode shape of the tested building were determined. The experimental results were compared against each other. A 3D-FE model of the building was prepared and analytical results were also compared against experimental results.The calibration (updating) of the analytical model was carried out using the experimentally obtained mode shapes and freqeunices. The results of the study indicate that first few mode shapes and freqeuncies of the building can be obtained successfully within zero to 10 Hz range using ambient monitoring. Field calibrated FE models can effectively simulate the first translational and torsional modes of the building. Calibration studies indicate that the upper floor is more flexible than the nominal model and there are weaknesses between the shear wall and roof slab connections.

Yes / Structural walls of old historical structures are either blind or have openings for functional requirements. It is well known that in and out of plane responses of structural walls are affected by the size, locations, and arrangements of such openings. The purpose of this investigation is to study the window opening effects on static and seismic behaviors of historical masonry old mosques. Fatih Mosque, which was converted from a church, constructed in 914 in Trabzon, Turkey, is selected for this purpose. The mosque is being restored. Structural exterior walls of the mosque were made using stone and mortar materials. When the plaster on the walls was removed during the restoration, 12 window openings were found as blind on the exterior structural walls of the mosque. Within the scope of restoration works, it is aimed to open such blind windows. In order to investigate the effects of the window openings on the structural behavior of the mosque, 3D solid and finite elements models of the mosque with and without window openings are initially developed. The experimental dynamic characteristics such as frequency, damping ratio, and mode shapes of the current situation of the mosque, where some windows openings are blind, are determined using Ambient Vibration Testing. Then, the finite element model of the current situation of the mosque is updated using the experimental dynamic characteristics. The static and seismic time history analyses of the updated finite element model with and without window openings are carried out. Structural behaviors of the mosque with and without window openings are compared considering displacement and stress propagations.

京都大学 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(工学) / 甲第24895号 / 工博第5175号 / 新制||工||1988(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院工学研究科社会基盤工学専攻 / (主査)教授 KIM Chul-Woo, 教授 杉浦 邦征, 教授 八木 知己 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Philosophy (Engineering) / Kyoto University / DFAM