DYNAMIC TESTING AND NUMERICAL MODELLING
OF THE CARDINGTON STEEL FRAMED BUILDING
FROM CONSTRUCTION TO COMPLETION

carding1.BMP (3522054 bytes)carding2.BMP (3834438 bytes)

carding3.BMP (4472818 bytes)

The dynamic behaviour of an eight-storey steel-framed building is investigated experimentally and numerically. The building construction was undertaken in five discrete stages. At each stage the natural frequencies of the building were measured using laser systems. A comprehensive forced vibration test was also performed when the building was complete to determine all of the characteristics of the fundamental modes of vibration. In parallel with the dynamic tests, numerical modelling has been conducted at each stage. The measurements and calculations are then compared to provide a better understanding of the building behaviour and to identify where the numerical model needs to be improved and where the structural performance can be improved. The project is benefited from the combined experimental and numerical studies.

Publications:

  1. Ellis, B. R. and Ji, T., (1996), Dynamic testing and numerical modelling of the Cardington steel framed building from construction to completion, The Structural Engineer, Vol.74, No.11, pp.186-192.
  2. Ji, T. and Ellis, B. R., (1996), Applications of finite element modelling in structural dynamics, Benchmark, October 1996, pp.25-28.