Walking Induced Floor Vibration on Glulam Timber Floor

Abstract

The aim of this research is to determine the vibration behavior due to walking loads. The floor was constructed using glued laminate (glulam) timber with 6 m span length. The vibration issues may occur due to lightweight and long span of the floor when the load induced on the floor either walking of jumping load. The occupants may feel the vibration of the floor and cause discomfort and unsafe feeling for the occupants of the building. The main factor that contributes to the increase in the annoying levels of floor vibrations is a low natural frequency of the floor because of long-span and lightweight construction. Therefore, the modal testing was performed to determine the vibration behavior of the floor due to walking induced load. A group of people was walking on the floor and the accelerometer was attached to the floor to record the accelerations. The accelerations data was analysed using ARTeMis software package to determine the natural frequency and mode shape of the floor. The natural frequencies that obtained is ranging from 3.47 to 5.92 Hz, which below the 8 Hz limitation according to Eurocode 5 [2]. Hence, the building is considered as low frequency building, and this explains the excessive vibrations felt by occupants of the building.