An Analytical Approximation to the Seismic Response of Light Linear Nonstructural Components in Resonance With Linear Structures

Abstract

\n This paper considers the analytical calculation of the seismic response of light nonstructural components resonant with the buildings to which they are affixed. The mechanical systems thus conformed are presumed to be linearly elastic and classically damped, such that a traditional modal analysis can be carried out. Intended to estimate the upper limit of the response, the procedure developed is indicated for resonance with the fundamental mode, a condition which usually controls the response of the components. The correlation of the two closely spaced modes resulting from the dynamics of the component-building system, is accounted for through a spectral analysis. Comparison of the results predicted by the procedure described in this paper with limited numerical applications, corroborates that it is successful in predicting the response of the components when these are tuned to low order modes of the carrying structure. However, as also seen, the procedure is inappropriate to calculate the response of the components when their tuning involves higher modes of the supporting structure. Given the successful numerical forecasting of the response of the components, and given the compact form of the proposed equations, the feasibility of developing their codified form merits further investigation.