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The response of building structures, particularly floor slabs, is largely dependent on the stiffness and resonance of the structure. Traditional stiffness criterion limits live load deflections of beams or girders supporting floors, but with limited success. The traditional stiffness criterion prove unsuccessful in limiting building structural response to rhythmic excitation such as aerobics, high-impact dancing, and in some cases, simple footfall activity down a corridor. Resonance of a floor structure is dependent on the overall mass and stiffness of the floor and its supporting beams/girders. The stiffness of the system is also largely dependent on the span of column bays. With the advent of limit states design and the more common use of lightweight concrete, floor systems have generally become lighter in recent years. However, beam and girder spans have generally increased as well, sometimes resulting in resonant floor slab frequencies that are quite low. Bernhard Shipps and Associates can review a project's structure in terms of support for vibration isolation, dynamic response due to anticipate use or exposure, and design criteria for any sensitive equipment or procedures. Examples of sensitive equipment and procedures include: Magnetic Resonance Imaging Scanners (MRI), Electron Microscopes, Simple Optical Microscopes, Robotic Equipment, Television and Video Cameras, Pharmaceutical and Biological Research (Cell Implant), Surgery, Microsurgery, Spectrometers, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) equipment, etc. |
Last modified: July 10, 2008 |
