• Computers and Concrete
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.79-90
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• 2013

In this study, dynamic characteristics such as natural frequencies, mode shapes and damping ratios of RC frame is determined for different construction stages using Operational Modal Analyses method under ambient vibration. Full scaled, one bay and one story RC frames are selected as an application for different construction stages such as plane, brick in-filled and brick in-filled with plaster. The RC frame is vibrated by natural excitations with small impact effects and the response signals are measured using sensitive accelerometers during ambient vibration tests. Measurement time-frequency span and effective mode number are determined by considering similar studies in literature. Sensitive seismic accelerometers are used to collect signals obtained from the experimental tests. To obtain experimental dynamic characteristics, output-only system identification technique is employed namely; Enhanced Frequency Domain Decomposition technique in the frequency domain. It is demonstrated that the ambient vibration measurements are enough to identify the most significant modes of RC frames.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 2011

Ambient vibration tests were carried out to evaluate the dynamic properties of an asymmetric steel building with semi-rigid connections. The test case has many non-structural elements, constructed in the city of Tehran (Iran). The tests were conducted to obtain natural frequencies, mode shapes and damping ratio of the structure and then Fourier transform were used to analyze the velocity records obtained from the tests. The first and second natural periods of the building were obtained as 1.37 s and 1.28 s through the test and damping ratio for the first mode was calculated as 0.047. However, Natural periods obtained from finite element model have higher values from those gained from ambient vibration. Then the model was calibrated by modeling of the in-fill masonry panels at their exact locations and considering the boundary conditions by modeling two blocks near the block No. 3, but the differences were existed. These differences may be due to some hidden stiffness of nonstructural elements in the low range of elastic behavior, showing the structure stiffer than it is in reality.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Noise and Vibration Engineering Conference
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• 2002.11a
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• pp.396.1-396
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• 2002

The AVT under traffic-induced vibrations was carried out on Namhae Suspension bridge in Korea. Mode shapes as well as natural frequencies up to the 15th mode were acquired exactly, and the effect of traffic mass and temperature on measured natural frequencies was investigated. The results from the AVT are compared with those from forced vibration test(FVT) and FE analysis. (omitted)

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.809-822
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• 2016

Reinforced concrete buildings constitute the majority of the building stock of Turkey and much of them, do not comply the earthquake codes. Recently there is a great tendency for strengthening to heal their earthquake performance. The performance evaluations are usually executed by the numerical investigations performed in computer packages. However, the numerical models are often far from representing the real behaviour of the existing buildings. In this condition, experimental modal analysis fills a gap to correct the numerical models to be used in further analysis. On the other hand, there have been a few dynamic tests performed on the existing reinforced concrete buildings. Especially forced vibration survey is not preferred due to the inherent difficulties, high cost and probable risk of damage. This study applies both ambient and forced vibration surveys to investigate the dynamic properties of a six-story residential building in Istanbul. Mode shapes, modal frequencies and damping ration were determined. Later on numerical analysis with finite element method was performed. Based on the first three modes of the building, a model updating strategy was employed. The study enabled to compare the results of ambient and forced vibration surveys and check the accuracy of the numerical models used for the performance evaluation of the reinforced concrete buildings.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Noise and Vibration Engineering Conference
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• 2002.11b
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• pp.687-692
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• 2002

In order to verify the effectiveness of adding visooelastic dampers to full-scale steel frame structure on the reduction of their seismic and wind response a experimental work was carried out. First, The test was conducted on the VE dampers subjected to sinusoidal excitations under a variety of ambient temperatures, frequency, and the damper strain. Results from these tests showed that the viscoelastic dampers have high energy dissipation capacity. Second, The vibration tests was conducted of the full-scale steel frame structure with md without added VE dampers at different temperatures. Viscoelastically damped full-scale structure test result on the effect of ambient temperature show that viscoelastic dampers are very effective in reducing excessive vibration of the structure due to sinusoidal excitation over a wide ringe of ambient temperature.

• Journal of Korean Association for Spatial Structures
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• v.3 no.1 s.7
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• pp.47-55
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• 2003

This paper is concerned with the dynamic characteristics of buildings, especially with the measurement of the natural frequencies(natural periods) and the damping. Process of ambient vibration and synchronized human excitation tests for natural period and damping are given. Data from measurement on 16 reinforced concrete buildings in Seoul and Seoul national university of technology are given. 16 Low-rise Reinforced concrete buildings are measured for ambient vibration to obtain the vibrations characteristics. The natural periods obtained by ambient vibration measurements are compared with those of forecast model suggested by standards and foreign researchers. The natural periods show a clear dependence on building height. On the other hand, the damping ration scatter under the influence of various factors, for example, building height and natural frequency.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.189-206
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• 2011

In this study, the subspace stochastic realization theories (SSR model I and SSR model II) have been applied to a real bridge for estimating its dynamic characteristics (natural frequencies, damping constants, and vibration modes) under ambient vibration. A numerical simulation is carried out for an arch-type steel truss bridge using a white noise excitation. The estimates obtained from this simulation are compared with those obtained from the Finite Element (FE) analysis, demonstrating good agreement and clarifying the excellent performance of this method in estimating the structural dynamic characteristics. Subsequently, these methods are applied to the vibration induced by both strong and weak winds as obtained by remote monitoring of the Kabashima bridge (an arch-type steel truss bridge of length 136 m, and situated in Nagasaki city). The results obtained with this experimental data reveal that more accurate estimates are obtained when strong wind vibration data is used. In contrast, the vibration data obtained from weak wind provides accurate estimates at lower frequencies, and inaccurate accuracy for higher modes of vibration that do not get excited by the wind of lower intensity. On the basis of the identified results obtained using both simulated data and monitored data from a real bridge, it is determined that the SSR model II realizes more accurate results than the SSR model I. In general, the approach investigated in this study is found to provide acceptable estimates of the dynamic characteristics of highway bridges as well as for the vibration monitoring of bridges.

• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.117-124
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• 2003

Wind-induced motions, like acceleration for instance, often influence designs for high-rise buildings. As a consequence, correct assessment of natural frequency becomes important. The empirical expressions used to quantify this parameter at the design phase tend to yield values that are significantly different from each other. This paper is concerned with the natural periods of steel buildings. It describes the vibration measurement methods that were employed for testing buildings. This paper will also present reliable methods of assessing the natural period from ambient vibration tests. Data from measurements on 21 buildings in Seoul were provided while 21 buildings were tested by ambient vibration measurements to obtain the natural periods. While regression formulas of natural periods for steel-frarried tall buildings were suggested,the obtained formula was compared with the empirical expressions of structural standards and the Eigen-value analysis.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.195-208
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• 2008

This paper summarizes the experimental vibration-based structural health monitoring study on a historical monument in Jordan. In this work, and within the framework of the European Commission funded project "wide-Range Non-Intrusive Devices Toward Conservation of Historical Monuments in the Mediterranean Area", a seven and a half century old minaret located in Ajloun (73 km north of the capital Amman) is studied. Because of their cultural value, touristic importance and the desire to preserve them for the future, only non-destructive tests were allowed for the experimental investigation of such heritage structures. Therefore, after dimensional measurements and determination of the current state of damage in the selected monument, ambient vibration tests are conducted to measure the accelerations at strategic locations of the system. Output-only modal identification technique is applied to extract the modal parameters such as natural frequencies and mode shapes. A Non-linear version of SAP 2000 computer program is used to develop a three-dimensional finite element model of the minaret. The developed numerical model is then updated according to the modal parameters obtained experimentally by the ambient-vibration test-results and the measured characteristics of old stone and deteriorated mortar. Moreover, a parametric identification method using the N4Sid state space model is employed to model the dynamic behavior of the minaret and to build up a robust, immune and noise tolerant model.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.387-400
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• 1999

Damage detection in civil engineering structures using the change in dynamic system parameters has gained a lot of scientific interest during the last decade. By repeating a dynamic test on a structure after a certain time of use, the change in modal parameters can be used to quantify and qualify damages. To be able to use the modal parameters confidentially for damage evaluation, the effect of other parameters such as excitation type, ambient conditions,... should be considered. In this paper, the influence of excitation type on the dynamic system parameters of a highway prestressed concrete bridge is investigated. The bridge, B13, lies between the villages Vilvoorde and Melsbroek and crosses the highway E19 between Brussels and Antwerpen in Belgium. A drop weight and ambient vibration are used to excite the bridge and the response at selected points is recorded. A finite element model is constructed to support and verify the dynamic measurements. It is found that the difference between the natural frequencies measured using impact weight and ambient vibration is in general less than 1%.