Evaluation of Fundamental Frequency of Steel Building

Frames — an Experimental Modal Analysis

(Ms) A Cinitha, Associate Member
Dr G M Samuel Knight, Non-member
Dr V Ramamurti, Non-member
This paper presents the dynamic characteristics of steel moment resisting space frames both numerically
and experimentally. The advances in experimental techniques have enabled clear understanding on
the behaviour of structures subjected to dynamic loading, such as, wind, earthquake, blast and impact.
Small-scale models are easy to fabricate and test and proved economical due to limitation on capacities
of testing facilities. Dynamic response of scaled model of a three-storey single bay steel frame is studied.
Inductive acceleration against excitation frequency behaviour is studied for the model. Modal analysis
has been carried out using a developed finite element source code. It closely predicted experimental
behaviour. A parametric study was conducted to investigate the effect of height of the building, height
of storeys, number of storeys, size of beams and columns on the fundamental frequency of the building.
Based on the experimental and numerical investigations the importance of studying the dynamic
characteristics of moment resisting steel space frame is well established.
Keywords : Small-scale model; Dynamic response; Modal analysis; Fundamental frequency

INTRODUCTION and material properties of the structure and on the type

In many cases, feasibility of civil engineering structures
against natural hazards, like earthquakes have been
verified by using experimental methods, in which small-
scale models are frequently used because of limited
testing facilities and economic reasons. The dynamic
behaviour of structures is governed by the fundamental
frequency and the amount of damping exhibited by each
mode of vibration. Fundamental frequencies of a building
and its damping characteristics have a significant effect
on the magnitude of its response. The ability to predict
these characteristics, at the design stage, would
minimize the degree of uncertainty from the design of
dynamically safe structures.
Small-scale model testing is a viable option to predict
the dynamic characteristics. Mills1, Krawinkler and
Wallace2, Kumar, et al 3 and Kim, et al 4 have conducted
extensive studies on small-scale models using modelling
techniques. Goel and Chopra5 and Tremblay and Rogers6
have conducted several field studies on dynamic
behaviour of moment resisting frames. However, scant
literature is available on the dynamic behaviour of model
frames. This paper presents the results of experimental
investigation conducted on a small-scale (1:15) moment
resisting steel frame with three-storeys. The similitude
that governs the dynamic relationships between the
model and prototype structure depend on the geometric
(Ms) A Cinitha is with the Structural Engineering Division and
Dr G M Samuel Knight is with the Department of Civil Engineering,
College of Engineering, Guindy
Guindy,, Chennai 600 025; and Dr V
Ramamurti is with the Anna University
University,, Chennai 600 025.
This paper (modified) was received on September 26, 2007. Written
discussion on the paper will be entertained till May 30, 2008.
of loading. An adequate model, which holds first order
similarity, is used to simulate the rigid frame. A
numerical simulation was also performed on the model,
using finite element source code developed by
Ramamurti7. The numerical model results are compared
with the experimental results. Parametric studies have
been carried out on extended numerical model to study
the effect of height of the building, height of storeys,
number of storeys and size of beams and columns and
bracings on the fundamental frequency. The cross-
sections of the beams and columns chosen are closed
hollow sections, since these have high ultimate and post-
local buckling performance compared to wide flange open
sections. Ballio and Castigliani8, Kumar and Usami9
have worked on the seismic behaviour of frames and
steel box sections and assessed their damage.
EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGA
EXPERIMENTAL TION
INVESTIGATION
Resonant vibration occurs when one or more of the
resonance or natural modes of vibrations of a structure
are excited. This vibration amplifies the response far
beyond the allowable levels of deflections, stresses and
strains caused by static loading. The resonant vibration
is excited by MIMO (multi- input multi-output) method.
In this study, MIMO is conducted with a shaker.
Fabrication of the Model
The model fabricated was a 1:15 scaled down model of a
three-storey, single-bay moment resisting frame, the
isometric view of the model is shown in Figure 1, whose
prototype was designed for gravity and seismic loads
for Zone III as per IS 800 (1984) and IS 1893 (2002),
with bolted and moment resisting welded connections.

18 IE(I) Journal–CV

283 mm
283 mm
A source code is proposed which is based on the
334 mm
304 mm
608 mm
Figure 1 Isometric view of the model
Front view Side view Top view
Figure 2 Details of connections at A
The details of connections are as shown in Figure 2.
Precautions were taken while welding to minimise
distortions caused by concentrated heating. Base plates
of dimension 100 mm ×100 mm × 4 mm were used to fix
the model to the test bed through specially fabricated
clamps. Standard coupons as per ASTM A370 were cut
from the sheets and tension test was conducted on four
coupons. The average value of yield stress, ultimate
stress, percentage elongation and modulus of elasticity
of the steel used were 204.52 N/mm2, 294.2 N/mm2, 21.8
and 2 × 105 N/mm2, respectively. The beams and columns
of the frame were channel sections fabricated from 1.5 mm
thick steel sheets bent by press braking process which
were spot welded back to back and used as I sections.
Base Excitation Test — Shaker T
Test est
Test
The experiments were conducted by mounting the
fabricated frame on a test bed of dimensions 1.5 m ×
1.5 m. The base plates were firmly clamped to the test
bed. Utmost care was taken that the frame was truly
vertical using a plumb bob. The base excitation test was
conducted with a reaction type exciter, which consisted
of two rotating unbalanced masses of equal eccentricity
rotating in opposite directions and phased, such that,
the unbalanced forces add up to a sinusoidal force acting
in a plane at right angles to the two axes of rotation.
The excitation was conducted in two directions, one in
the longitudinal and the other in the lateral directions,
of the frame. The mechanical exciter was driven by an
electric motor with a speed ranging from 500 rpm to
Vol 88, February 2008
3600 rpm. Four inductive accelerometers of sensitivity
±80 mV/V were mounted at the top floor, second floor,
first floor and above the test bed. The signals from the
accelerometers were conditioned and fed to an
oscilloscope and processed further to find the dynamic
characteristics of the model.
NUMERICAL INVESTIGATION
INVESTIGATION
For the space frame model considered, a finite element
displacement method of analysis treating the member
of the frame as 3D beam elements having twelve degrees-
of-freedom. The frame is modelled and analysed as a
space frame. The columns are connected to the base
through base plates. In order to obtain accurate results,
consistent mass matrix is used. The method employs
modelling the structure with one element per member,
which reduces the number of degrees-of-freedom
involved and the computational time. Having defined
generalized mass and stiffness matrices, the
approximate mode shapes and frequencies of the
structure are determined by solving the homogenous
equations of the undamped system. The transformation
of the mode shapes which result from the solution of the
eigenvalue problem in the structural coordinate system
to real coordinate system is also accounted. The
Cholesky’s factorisation is used to decompose the
stiffness matrix while conducting eigen analysis.
Simultaneous iteration method is used to evaluate eigen
values and eigen vectors from structural stiffness and
mass matrix.
PARAMETRIC STUDY
Parametric investigation was done to study the effect of
height of the building, storey heights, number of storeys
and the size of beams and columns on the fundamental
frequency. The height of the building was varied from
9 m to 30 m and the storey height was varied from 3 m
to 5 m. The number of storeys considered were 3, 4, 5, 6
and 7. Four different square hollow cross-sections, which
are commercially available, were taken and the study
was limited with moment resisting frames.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
RESULTS
Based on the experiments conducted with respect to the
shaker test, the numerical investigations and on the
parametric studies done the results are discussed.
Shaker Test
Test
The inductive acceleration against excitation frequency
behaviour in the longitudinal and in the lateral
directions at the base, first, second and third floors are
shown in Figures 3 and 4, respectively. It can be seen
that the behaviour is similar in both longitudinal and
lateral directions and that the magnitude of acceleration
is distinctly high for the higher floors as compared to
the base. At resonant frequencies of 1900 rpm and
19
 250 250
200 200

Inductive accleration, g
Inductive accleration, g

150 150
100 100
50 50
0 0
– 50 – 50
– 100 0 600 1200 1800 2400 3000 3600 – 100
– 150 – 150 0 600 1200 1800 2400 3000 3600

– 200 – 200
– 250 – 250 Excitation frequency, rpm
Excitation frequency, rpm
(a) Base
(a) Base
250
250 200

Inductive accleration, g
200 150
150
Inductive accleration, g

100
100 50
50 0
0 – 50
– 50 – 100
– 100
– 150
– 150
– 2000 600 1200 1800 2400 3000 3600
– 2000 600 1200 1800 2400 3000 3600 – 250 Excitation frequency, rpm
– 250
Excitation frequency, rpm (b) First floor
(b) First floor
250
250 200
Inductive accleration, g

200 150
100
Inductive accleration, g

150
100 50
0
50
– 50
0
– 100
– 50
– 150
– 100
– 200 0 600 1200 1800 2400 3000 3600
– 150 Excitation frequency, rpm
– 250
– 200 (c) Second floor
– 250 0 600 1200 1800 2400 3000 3600
Excitation frequency, rpm 250
(c) Second floor 200
Inductive accleration, g

150
250 100
200 50
Inductive accleration, g

150 0
100 – 50
50 – 100
– 150
0
– 200 0 600 1200 1800 2400 3000 3600
– 50
– 250 Excitation frequency, rpm
– 100
(d) Third floor
– 150
Figure 4 Inductive accleration × 10 –2 (g) against excitation
– 200
frequency (lateral)
– 250
0 600 1200 1800 2400 3000 3600 3100 rpm a sudden increase in the inductive acceleration
Excitation frequency, rpm amplitude is observed along the longitudinal direction,
(d) Third floor whereas in the lateral direction the increase is gradual
Figure 3 Inductive accleration × 10 –2 (g) against excitation and reduces gradually. The gradual reduction along
frequency (longitudinal) lateral direction may be due to high stiffness of the frame

20 IE(I) Journal–CV
along that direction. It can also be noticed that peak
inductive acceleration occurs at 3100 rpm irrespective
of the floors and irrespective of the directions whether
longitudinal or lateral. When the excitation frequency
is less than 1900 rpm, the inductive accelerations are
higher in the lateral directions as compared to the
longitudinal direction.
Numerical Studies
The model frame was analysed using developed finite
element source code. The frequencies obtained for the
first two modes are compared and shown in Figure 5.
It can be seen that prediction by source code is 7% higher
than the experimental value obtained from the shaker
in construction etc. The experimental work addresses
the main difficulties regarding analytically assessed
frequency and what could be witnessed in a structure.
For this a carefully designed model in steel can be used.
A full-scale testing will certainly reflect the true
behaviour of the structure. But from the economic point
of view small-scale models can be tested for dynamic
response.
Parametric Studies
Figure 7 shows the fundamental frequency against
height of the building behaviour for different spans and
7 200 mm × 200 mm × 12 mm

4@ 3 m
300 mm × 300 mm × 16 mm

Fundamental frequency, Hz
6
test in the first mode and 16% higher in the second mode. 400 mm × 400 mm × 20 mm
The developed source code can be used to predict the 5 500 mm × 500 mm × 25 mm
fundamental frequency of the moment resisting steel 3@ 3 m
frame with reasonable accuracy. Figure 6 shows the first 4
three mode shapes of the model obtained through
3
numerical investigations. It is observed that the
fundamental frequency predicted through source code 2
always overestimated the experimental value. The
1
discrepancy found between the numerical and measured
natural frequencies can be attributed to inherent 0
uncertainties of the material and geometry or effects of 0 5 10 15 20 25 30
support conditions and joints. In general considerable Height of the building, m
amount of uncertainties exist in the estimation of (a) Building with 3@3m and 4@3m
frequency of the structure. This depends on the actual 7 200 mm × 200 mm × 12 mm
4@4m

loading of the two parameters mass and stiffness. 300 mm × 300 mm × 16 mm

Fundamental frequency, Hz

Whereas the mass can be predicted fairly accurately, the 6

400 mm × 400 mm × 20 mm
stiffness in real structure becomes unpredictable because 5 500 mm × 500 mm × 25 mm
3@4 m
of type of fixity or boundary conditions, materials used
4
70
Shaker 58.5 3
60
Fortran 49.36
50 2
Frequency, Hz

40 1
30.25 32.32
30 0
0 10 20 30
20 Height of the building, m
10 (b) Building with3@4m and 4@4m
7
0 200 mm ×200 mm × 12 mm
4@5 m
Fundamental frequency, Hz

First mode Second mode 6 300 mm ×300 mm × 16 mm

400 mm ×400 mm × 20 mm
Figure 5 Comparison of modal frequencies 5 3@5 m 500 mm ×500 mm × 25 mm
4

2
Z Z Z
1

0
Y 0 10 20 30
Y Y X Height of the building, m
X X
(c) Building with 3@5m and4@5m
Figure 6 First three mode shapes observed with proposed source
Figure 7 Fundamental frequency against height of the building
code

Vol 88, February 2008 21

 1.6 Three storey
Fundamental frequency, Hz
Four storey
Five storey
1.2
Six storey
Seven storey
0.8
0.4
0
3 4 5
Storey height, m
Figure 8 Comparison of fundamental frequency for various storey
heights
for different cross-sections of beams and columns.
Frames with bays smaller in span have high
fundamental frequency as compared to frames with
larger spans. The behaviour shows a non-linear
decreasing trend with increase in height of the building.
For the buildings with bays smaller in span with heavier
cross-section, increase in height of the building from
9 m to 30 m decreases the fundamental frequency to
one-third, whereas if the cross-section of beams and
columns are of smaller sections, the fundamental
frequency decrease by more than 50%. Figure 8 shows
the comparison of frequencies for different heights of
the buildings with different storey heights. If the height
of the storeys is small, the frequencies are over two times
as compared to buildings with higher storey height.
CONCLUSIONS
Considerable amount of uncertainties exist in the
estimation of frequency of the structure. This depends
on the actual loading of the two parameters mass and
stiffness. Whereas the mass can be predicted fairly
accurately, the stiffness in real structure becomes
unpredictable because of type of fixity or boundary
conditions, materials used in construction etc. The
experimental work addresses the main difficulties
regarding analytically assessed frequency and what
could be witnessed in a structure. The correlation of
analytical results with real field conditions can be
emphatically declared through testing small-scale
structures, which plays vital role in better understanding
of structural responses under dynamic loads. The
conclusions drawn are
q at points of resonance the inductive acceleration
amplitude against excitation frequency behaviour
showed the maximum peak acceleration. The decrease
from the peak acceleration is sudden when the model
is excited in the longitudinal direction and gradual
when the model is accelerated in the lateral direction.
This is due to comparatively large stiffness of the frame
in that direction.
q prediction by source code overestimated the
experimental fundamental frequency by 7%, which is
22
due to inherent uncertainties of the material and
geometry effects of support conditions and joints.
q fundamental frequency against height of the
building behaviour showed a non-linear decreasing
trend with increase in height of the building
irrespective of the size of beams and columns.
q increase in height of the building from 10 m to
30 m decreases the fundamental frequency to one-
third, whereas if the cross-section of beams and
columns are of smaller sections, the fundamental
frequency decrease by more than 50% irrespective of
the plan of the building.
q for a building with constant height, increase in
height of the storeys decrease the fundamental
frequency by more than 20%.
q the fundamental frequency of the frames with
smaller span increases by 26% as compared to frames
with larger span.
q increase in size of beams and columns in the frame
increases the fundamental frequency of the order of
three times for smaller storey heights and four times
for higher storey heights.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The authors thank the Director, Indian Institute of
Technology, Madras for permitting to conduct the
experiments at the Dynamics Laboratory, Department
of Applied Mechanics.
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framed Buildings to Earthquakes’. Design for Dynamic Loading and
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Centre, Department of Civil Engineering, Stanford University,
Stanford, Report No 75, 1985.
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of Scaled Models’. Journal of Structural Engineering, vol 123, no 4,
1997, pp 524-526.
4. N S Kim, Y H Kwak and S P Chang. ‘Modified Similitude Law for
Pseudodynamic Test on Small-scale Steel Models’. Journal of
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5. K R Goel and K A Chopra. ‘Period Formulas for Moment-resisting
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1997, pp 1454-1461.
6. R Tremblay and C A Rogers. ‘Impact of Capacity Design Provisions and
Period Limitations on the Seismic Design of Low-rise Steel Buildings’.
International Journal of Steel Structures, vol 5, 2005, pp 1-22.
7. V Ramamurti. ‘Computer Aided Mechanical Design and Analysis’.
Tata McGraw-Hill Publishing Company Limited, Delhi, India, 2003.
8. G Ballio and C Castiglioni. ‘Seismic Behaviour of Steel Sections’.
Journal of Constructional Steel Research, vol 29, no 1, 1994, pp 21-54.
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IE(I) Journal–CV