Additional stresses on buildings induced by vibration effects

Abstract

Construction activities, blasting and traffic are the main sources of ground vibrations that may have a detrimental effect on buildings.The main objective of this research is to study the relationship between additional stresses on building induced by vibrations, vibration nature and building dynamic characteristics.Five numerical models were subjected to base excitation to represent different vibration sources and wave forms. These waves were scaled to the same peak acceleration.Experimental dynamic tests were carried out using five physical models with different characteristics. These models were subjected to different types of vibration. The vibration characteristics were identified and the models top acceleration responses were measured. Moreover, the models maximum stresses were measured due to each vibration load.The relationships between stress increasing, fundamental period and base excitation type were plotted; also the relationship between pseudo acceleration response at the top of the building and the frequency ratio between the model fundamental frequency and the base excitation predominant frequency was also plotted. These relations were analyzed and concluded to tangible results.