Application of Equivalent Walking Loads for Efficient Analysis of Floor Vibration Induced by Walking

Walking loads are usually considered as nodal loads in the finite element vibration analysis of structures subjected to walking loads. Since most of the walking loads act on elements not nodes, the walking loads applied on the elements should be converted to the equivalent nodal walking loads. This paper begins with measuring walking loads by using a force plate equipped with load cells and investigates the characteristics of the walking loads with various walking rates. It is found that the walking loads are more affected by walking rates than other parameters such as pedestrian weight, type of footwear, surface condition of floor etc. The measured walking loads are used as input loads for a finite element model of walking induced vibration. Finally, this paper proposes the equivalent nodal walking loads that are converted from the walking loads acting on elements based on finite element shape functions. And the proposed equivalent walking loads are proved to be applicable for efficient analysis of floor vibration induced by walking loads.