| Excessive floor vibration is a common serviceability problem in modern floor systems. Refined methods in structural analysis and design, and improved materials and construction techniques, have led to the use of materials with high strength-to-weight ratios. These effects have resulted in decreased structural mass. Coincidently, offices are becoming more paperless using lighter office furniture and partitions that are also lighter with less damping -- all of which can lead to floors that are susceptible to transient vibrations induced by footfall from normal walking.;The research objective is to develop a rigorous modeling approach to determine the dynamic response of the floor, to incorporate time histories based on footfall at various locations within a floor, and its response to footfall-induced load. Three-dimension model software SAP 2000 was used to model floor system. AISC Design Guide No. 11 provides guidance for simplified procedures; however, such procedures might be enhanced with a more refined and rigorous model for the structural system and the loads. Also, architectural requirements for many floor systems fall well beyond the typical assumptions in Design Guide No. 11 where no practical modeling guidelines exist. Finally, some floor system design requirements are extremely demanding for vibration limits, e.g., medical facilities and manufacturing plant, etc. Better methods are needed.;Previous field tests are combined with new measurement of a building under construction on the UW campus Business Building to confirm the modeling approach.;The outcome is to develop a well-defined approach to modeling footfall load using contemporary structural modeling methods. The approach will benefit building designers helping to avoid service problems in general structures and meet extreme limits in more demanding applications. |
