Low Frequency Vibration Approach for Assessing Performance of Wood Floor Systems<sup>1</sup>

Authors

  • Xiping Wang
  • Robert J. Ross
  • Michael O. Hunt
  • John R. Erickson
  • John W. Forsman

Keywords:

Vibration, natural frequency, stiffness, wood floor

Abstract

The primary means of inspecting buildings and other structures is to evaluate each structure member individually. This is a time-consuming and expensive process, particularly if sheathing or other covering materials must be removed to access the structural members. The objective of this study was to determine if a low frequency vibration method could be used to effectively assess the structural performance of wood floors as component systems. Twelve wood floors were constructed with solid sawn wood joists in the laboratory and tested with both vibration and static load methods. The results indicated that the forced vibration method was capable of measuring the fundamental natural frequency (bending mode) of the wood floors investigated. An analytical model derived from the flexural beam theory was found to fit the physics of the floor structures and can be used to correlate natural frequency to section modulus (EI product) of the floor systems.

References

Blevins, R. D. 1993. Formulas for natural frequency and mode shape. Krieger Publishing Company, Malabar, FL.nMorison, A. M., C. D. Van Karsen, H. A. Evensen, J. B. Ligon, J. R. Erickson, J. W. Forsman, and R. J. Ross. 2002. Nondestructive evaluation of timber bridges: A global approach using impact generated FRFs. 20th International Modal Analysis Conference and Exposition on Structural Dynamics, February 4-7, 2002, Los Angeles, CA. Pp. 1567-1573.nMorison, A. M., C. D. Van Karsen, H. A. Evensen, J. B. Ligon, J. R. Erickson, J. W. Forsman, and R. J. Ross. 2003. Dynamic response of timber bridges as a tool to measure structural integrity. Exp. Tech. 27(3):25-28.nRoss, R. J., X. Wang, M. O. Hunt, and L. A. Soltis. 2002. Transverse vibration technique to identify deteriorated wood floor systems. Exp. Tech. 26(4):28-30.nSoltis, L. A., X. Wang, R. J. Ross, and M. O. Hunt. 2002. Vibration testing of timber floor systems. Forest Prod. J. 52(10):75-81.n

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Published

2007-06-05

Issue

Number 3 / July 2005

Section

Research Contributions

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