Correlation between torsional vibration and translational vibration

This paper presents theoretical investigation on the cross correlation between torsional vibration ($u_{\theta}$) and translation vibration ($u_x$) of asymmetrical structure under white noise excitation. The formula reveals that the cross correlation coefficient (${\rho}$) is a function of uncoupled frequency ratio (${\Omega}={\omega}_{\theta}/{\omega}_x$), eccentricity, and damping ratio (${\xi}$). Simulations involving acceleration records from fifteen different earthquakes show correlation coefficients results similar to the theoretical correlation coefficients. The uncoupled frequency ratio is the dominating parameter to ${\rho}$; generally, ${\rho}$ is positive for ${\omega}_{\theta}/{\omega}_x$ > 1.0, negative for ${\omega}_{\theta}/{\omega}_x$ < 1.0, and close to zero for ${\omega}_{\theta}/{\omega}_x$ = 1.0. When the eccentricity or damping ratio increases, ${\rho}$ increases moderately for small ${\Omega}$ (< 1.0) only. The relation among $u_x$, $u_{\theta}$ and corner displacement are best presented by ${\rho}$; a simple way to hand-calculate the theoretical dynamic corner displacements from $u_x$, $u_{\theta}$ and ${\rho}$ is proposed as an alternative to dynamic analysis.