MAHARASHTRA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, LABORATORY MANUAL

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PRACTICAL EXPERIMENT INSTRUCTION SHEET
M.Tech Structural Engineering YEAR: I PART: I

Experiment No. 01
Dynamics of A Three Storied Building Frame Subjected To Harmonic Base Motion

Aim: To find the Dynamics response of three storied building frame subjected to harmonic base
motion.
Apparatus:
1. Experimental setup for three-story shear building frame. This consists of four aluminum
columns and four aluminum slabs each attached to the four columns at an interval of 400 mm.
2. Shake table: The entire structure assembly is placed on a shake table driven by an electric motor of
capacity 500rpm.
3. Controller: The RPM of the motor can be varied to achieve harmonic base motions at different
frequencies.
4. Signal Conditioning Amplifier: Used as connection between accelerometer and Oscilloscope.
5. Oscilloscope: Use to observe the parameter corresponding to rpm or frequency.
1.1 Theory:
In this experiment, the behavior of a three storied building frame model subjected to
harmonic base motions is discussed. This experiment also enables the understanding of
occurrence of resonance phenomenon in simple multi-degree of freedom (MDOF) systems.
The frame is rectangular in plan with stiffness and mass properties distributed uniformly in
plan as well as in elevation. The frame is designed to facilitate the visualization of the first
three mode shapes with bare eyes. Also, the frame is so configured such that three degrees of
freedom model would serve as a reasonable model, at least to a first approximation. See, for
instance, the book by Paz (1984) for the details of mathematical modeling. A brief description
of normal modes and their use in vibration analysis is also provided in Appendix A of this
manual. The model shown in figure 1.1 can be thought of as a model for a building frame with
three floors, which is subjected to earthquake like base motions. The model however is an
idealized demonstration of this phenomenon since the building can only be subjected to
harmonic base motions. The frequency of the base motion can be varied by changing the RPM
of the electric motor; it is also possible to vary the amplitude of the base motion by adjusting
the stroke- this adjustment, however, requires somewhat involved manipulations. By changing
the motor RPM it would be possible to set the frame into resonant motions, which would
enable you to visualize the first three normal modes of the frame.

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 MAHARASHTRA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, LABORATORY MANUAL
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1.2 Mathematical Model

The frame in figure 1.1 can be approximately modeled as a three degree of freedom shear beam
as shown in figure 1.2a. Following the free body diagram shown in figure 1.2b, we can set up
the equation of motion for the total displacement of the three masses as follows:

M1 x1” + + + =0

M2 x2” + + + =0

M3 x3” + + =0 1.1

+ + =

y” + y ……1.2

The compact form of matrix is

M x”  C x’ K x  C  K  …….1.3

In these equations, a dot represents differentiation with respect to the time, x  3  1vector of
total displacement, {y(t)} is the applied harmonic base motion, M, C and K, are the 3 X 3

structural mass, damping and stiffness matrices, respectively. 31 vector. In deriving this
model, it is assumed that slabs are very rigid with the columns supplying all the stiffness for the
system. The slabs manly contribute the inertia; allowance can be made for taking into mass of
the columns and screws at the joints. The undamped natural frequencies and modal vectors can
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be computed for the mathematical model by solving the eigenvalue problem K   M.These
solutions, in turn, can be used to evaluate the forced response analysis by assuming that the
undamped modal matrix would diagonalize the damping matrix also. Alternatively, solution to
equation 1.3 can also be constructed by noting that, under harmonic excitations, the system
would respond harmonically at the driving frequency as time becomes large. Accordingly,
when
y(t) = Y exp[iωt]we can take the solution to be of the form x (t) = X (ω) exp[iωt] as t →∞ .

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2 1
This leads to X ( )     M  iC  K  iC  K  Y …1.4
 2
The matrix   M  iC  K  can be thought of as the stiffness matrix of the structure that
includes the effects of mass and damping and therefore, is referred to as the dynamic stiffness.
Matrix. Refer to Appendix A for details on response analysis using normal mode expansion.
Figure 1.3 shows typical plots of amplitude and phase spectra for a three-DOF system. The
parameters of the above model can be arrived at by following the usual assumptions made in
construction of shear beam models (Paz 1984). Thus, we get

Kc =12EI/L3 , I =BD3/12 K1=K2=K3=4Kc

M1=M2 =MS + 4MC + 8MSC

M 3  M s  (4 * 0.5 * M c )  8M sc …1.5

Where, E= Young’s modulus,

I=moment of inertia,

BA=breadth of column cross-section,

DA=depth of the column cross-section,

LA= length of column,

Mc=mass of individual column, and Msc=mass of screws at the joints.

The damping properties of the structure need to be established based on experimentation.

1.3 Experimental procedure

1.3.0 Instruments and sensors

Table 1.1 provides the details of instruments to be used in the experimental study
1.3.1 Preliminary measurements

a) Collect the data pertaining to geometric and material properties of the vibrating system (tables
1.2 and 1.3). Parts of data in table 1.2 have to be obtained from the instructor/handbooks.
b) Using the three-degrees of freedom model, form the mass and stiffness matrices of the
structure. Perform the eigen value analysis and determine the natural frequencies and modal
matrix for the system.
c) Study the charts/manuals that accompany the sensors and the charge amplifiers and note down
the sensor sensitivities, sensor mass and factors to convert the measured electrical signal into

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 MAHARASHTRA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, LABORATORY MANUAL
AURANGABAD MIT – CED -
CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
PRACTICAL EXPERIMENT INSTRUCTION SHEET
M.Tech Structural Engineering YEAR: I PART: I

mechanical units; this depends upon the amplifier settings used- see table 1.4.
d) Run the electric motor at a few frequencies and measure the amplitude of the base motion.
These amplitudes are expected to be identical and also would remain unchanged as the speed
of the motor is varied. Therefore, in the subsequent experimentation, the base motion itself need not be
measured.
1.3.2 Studies on 3-storyed shear beam model

e)Arrange the experimental setup as shown in figures 1.1 and 1.5. Note that the
accelerometer needs to be placed on slab in such a way that displacement along x- direction
is picked up.
f) Set the frame into free vibration by applying an initial displacement. This can be
achieved by gently pulling the frame at about the top slab and releasing it. Observe the free
vibration decay on the oscilloscope and record the results as per the format given in table
1.5. Evaluate the logarithmic decrement and hence the damping ratio. One model for the
damping can be obtained by assuming that the damping ration so determined would remain
constant for all the modes.

g) Run the base motion test on the frame at different values of motor RPM making sure that
readings at resonant frequencies are not missed. For a given motor RPM, allow the frame
to oscillate for a few seconds so that the frame reaches its steady state. At this stage
measure the amplitude of the frame response by using time history of displacement
response acquired on the oscilloscope and record the amplitude data as in table 1.6. Note
that the frequency of driving and the frequency of structural response can be assumed to
be equal and this can be measured from the trace of displacement response on the
oscilloscope. It may be noted that the test could be conducted even if only two channel
measurements are possible, in which case, the above steps need to be repeated suitably.

h) The frequencies at which the structure undergoes resonance can be identified by

observing the variation of response amplitudes as motor RPM is varied. At resonant
conditions, in addition to noting the amplitude of slab oscillations, also note if the slabs
are vibrating in phase or not. Based on this information the modal vectors for the first
three modes could be established. Compare these mode shapes with the analytical mode
shapes obtained in step (b).
i) Plot X1, X2 and X3 versus f.

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j) From the plots in the previous step estimate the modal damping either by half-
power bandwidth method or by relating the peak amplitude to the modal
damping (see Paz, 1984, for details).

Using the modal damping ratios obtained in steps (f) or (j) determine the C matrix using
 
the relation C  
t 1
 1
[]  where  is a diagonal matrix with entry on the nth row being
2  . It can be shown that    t 1
 M and     M ,
1 t

t
and, therefore, one gets C  M  M (see Appendix A). Using this C matrix and equation 1.3, solve
the mathematical model to determine analytically the amplitude of floor responses as a
function of the driving frequency. Compare these analytical predictions with the measured
frequency response functions.

Observation Table:
Amplitude = Ϭ1 , Ϭ2 , Ϭ3 and Displacement Amplitude = X =

Table 1.6.1 Base motion test data on three-story shear building frame

S. Frequency, Frequenc σ1 σ2 σ3 X1 X2 X3
No f y rms (V) rms (V) rms
. (Hz) ω=2πf (V)
(rad/s)

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Table 1.6.2 Base motion test data on three-story shear building frame; measurement made at first
floor

S.No Frequency, Frequency ω=2πf Amplitude Displacement Amplitude

f (Hz) (rad/s) σ1 rms (mV) =
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25

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Table 1.6.3 Base motion test data on three-story shear building frame; measurement made at the
second floor
S.No. Frequency, Frequency Amplitude Displacement
f ω=2πf σ2 Amplitude
(Hz) (rad/s) rms (mV) X2= 2 (CF) σ2
(m)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25

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Table 1.6.4 Base motion test data on three-story shear building frame; measurement made at the third floor

S.No. Frequency, Frequency Amplitude Displacement

f ω=2πf σ3 Amplitude
(Hz) (rad/s) rms (mV) X3= 2 (CF) σ3
(m)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25

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M.Tech Structural Engineering YEAR: I PART: I

Note: The format in Table 1.6.1 can be used if all the three floor responses are measured
simultaneously. If only one measurement at a time is possible (due to lack of availability of adequate
number of sensors, signal conditioners or data acquisition channels), then the experiment need to be
run repeatedly suitable number of times. In this case, the formats given in Tables 1.6.2 to 1.6.4 could
be used for recording the observations. In case the tests are run repeatedly, it may not be possible to
maintain identical steps in incrementing the driving frequency because of lack of perfect control on
specifying driving frequency.

Table 1.7 Estimate of the natural frequencies of the three-story shear-building frame

Figures:

Figure 1.1 Experimental setup for three-story shear building frame

(a) mathematical model

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(b) free body diagram

Figure 1.2 Multi mass-damper-spring model representation of a three-story
shear building subjected to harmonic base motion, y(t)=Yeiωt ;

(a) mathematical model (b) free body diagram

Graphs:

(a)

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(b)
(c)
Figure 1.3 Amplitude and phase spectra of absolute responses of three-
story building frame subjected to harmonic base motion; (a) response at
I floor; (b) response at II floor; (c) response at III floor

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M.Tech Structural Engineering YEAR: I PART: I

Figure1.4 Three-story shear building model used in experiment

Figure 1.5. Setup for studies on three-story shear building frame

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M.Tech Structural Engineering YEAR: I PART: I

Table 1.1 Equipments used in free vibration and forced vibration test of three-story shear building frame
No. Equipments Quantity
1 Oscilloscope 1
2 Accelerometers 3
3 Transducers conditioning amplifiers 1
4 Shake table 1

Table 1.2 Physical properties of parts of the structure

Material Properties
Mass
No. Part Material Young’s Modulus Mass density (ρ)
kg
(E) N/m2 kg/m3
1 Column Aluminum Mc =
2 Slab Aluminum Ms=
Allen screw,
3 Steel Msc= -
M8 -

Table 1.3 Geometric data of the structure

Dimensions in mm
No. Part
Depth (D) Width (B) Length (L)
1 Column DA = BA = LA =
2 Slab DB = BB = LB =

Table 1.4 Details of the sensors used; CF: conversion factor

Sensitivity, S Mass
No. Sensor CF
pC/ms-2 pC/g kg
1
2
3

Table 1.5 Free vibration test data on three-story shear building frame

No. Quantity Notation Observations

1 Amplitude of 0th peak A0
2 Amplitude of nth peak An
3 Number of cycles n
4 Logarithmic decrement δ

5 Damping ratio ζ

Table 1.7 Estimate of the natural frequencies of the three-story shear-building frame
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Natural frequencies in Hz
Mode No.
3-DOF Model Experiment
1
2
3

Table 1.8 Estimate of the mode shapes of the three-story shear building frame

Mode shapes
3-DOF Model Experiment
I mode II mode III mode I mode II mode III mode

Results:

Conclusion:

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 MAHARASHTRA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, LABORATORY MANUAL
AURANGABAD MIT – CED -
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