VIBRATION SERVICEABILITY ASSESSMENT OF A LIGHTWEIGHT COLD-FORMED STEEL FLOOR SYSTEM

Abstract

The following research examines the serviceability of a proposed lightweight cold-formed steel floor system. Finite element and experimental methods are used to evaluate said system against serviceability criteria and further develop FE modeling methods for predicting the response of floor structures to walking events. A parametric, FE analysis study was conducted as a part of this study to identify parameters controlling the performance of this system. This study included evaluating effects of geometric parameters on natural frequency and peak acceleration. Experimental testing of in-situ floor systems was conducted to calibrate FE modeling methods and determine as-built and predicted vibration serviceability performance. A new FE loading procedure was developed by the authors to provide structural engineers with an additional method of predicting walking induced vibrations in floor structures. This method was evaluated against baseline and in situ structures to determine the potential for further development.