Parametric Analysis of Vibrations in a Lightweight Two-Way Steel Floor System

AbstractThere is a lack of rapidly constructible, modular, and lightweight structural components and systems used for building construction. Such structures will in the future be able to sustainably and cost effectively meet new, changing demands for structures such as changing occupancies and extreme events. In an effort toward making structures more efficient, a lightweight, rapidly constructible and reconfigurable, modular steel floor (RCRMSF) system has been developed using cold-formed steel components. Current design guidelines for vibrations are written for conventional structural systems, but the suitability of the lightweight RCRMSF to resist vibrations due to human activity is unclear. To assess the dynamic behavior a design assessment has been adopted and high-fidelity finite-element models have been created. A parametric study was conducted to investigate the effect of important design parameters on the vibration response and serviceability of the RCRMSF for walking and rhythmic loading. The parametric study found that many RCRMSF configurations could be classified as high-frequency floors and that the RCRMSF can meet serviceability limits with adequate design parameters.