APPENDIX D DESIGN AGAINST FLOOR VIBRATION

(Section 5.2.2.2 b )
D.1 General
Floor with longer spans of lighter construction and less inherent damping are
vulnerable to vibrations under normal human activity. Natural frequency of the floor
system corresponding to the lowest mode of vibration, damping characteristics, are
important characteristics in floor vibration. Open web steel joists (trusses) or steel beams
on the concrete deck may experience walking vibration problem. Fatigue, overloading of
floor systems and vibrations due to rhythmic activities such as aerobic or dance classes
are not within the scope of this Appendix.
D.2 Annoyance Criteria
In the frequency range of 2 to 8 Hz in which people are most sensitive to vibration,
the threshold level corresponds approximately to 0.5% g, where g is the acceleration due
to gravity. Continuous vibration is generally more annoying then decaying vibration due
to damping. Floor systems with the natural frequency less than 8 Hz in the case of floors
supporting rhythmic activity and 5 Hz in the case of floors supporting normal human
activity should be avoided.
D.3 Floor Frequency
(a) The fundamental natural frequency can be estimated by assuming full composite
action, even in non-composite construction. This frequency, f1, for a simply
supported one way system is given by

where
E = modulus of elasticity of steel, (MPa)
IT = transformed moment of inertia of the one way system (in term of equivalent
steel) assuming the concrete flange of width equal to the spacing of the
beam to be effective (mm4)
L = span length (mm)
W = dead load of the one way joist (N/mm)
If the one way joist system is supported by a flexible beam running perpendicular
with the natural frequency, f2, the floor frequency may be reduced to, fr, given by

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D.4 Damping
The percentage of critical damping may be assumed approximately as given below:
System Damping in percent
critical
Fully composite construction 2
Bare steel beam and concrete deck 3 to 4
Floor with finishes, false ceiling, fire proofing, ducts furniture 6
Partitions not located along a support or not spaced farther apart than
6 m and partitions oriented in orthogonal directions upto 12

D.5 Acceleration
The peak acceleration, ao, from heel impact for floors of spans greater than 7m and
natural frequency, f1 less than 10 HZ may be calculated as:
ao/g = 600 fr /W
where
W = total weight of floors plus contents over the span length and equivalent floor
width (b) in Newton
b = 40ts (20 ts when over hang is only on one side of the beam)
ts = equivalent thickness of the slab averaging concrete in slab and ribs
g = the acceleration due to gravity

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