Control of vibrations induced by people walking on large span composite floor decks

The low damping properties of lightweight large span floor decks composed of a reinforced concrete slab on top of a steel space frame structure may lead to undesirable dynamic responses, even to ordinary human actions such as walking. This problem was investigated through laboratory tests performed on a 1:1 scale prototype of a composite floor deck structure. Experimental measurements were taken for the structure subjected to several dynamic human loads, especially those produced by the random walking of people. To compensate for the lack of damping, a passive control system was designed and installed in the composite structure prototype. The performance of the mechanical control devices was evaluated by means of straight comparisons between the experimental acceleration amplitudes obtained for the controlled and uncontrolled structure subjected to similar dynamic forces produced by one or more persons walking. The most relevant results for both time and frequency responses are presented and used to argue that small and low cost passive control devices can already be included in the design stage of a smart structure as effective accessories to substantially reduce vibrations induced by people in low damped large span composite floor decks. ► Human-induced vibration in lightweight composite floor decks is studied. ► Laboratory tests on a prototype deck were carried out to study this problem. ► The effects of trajectories, randomness, and number of people are investigated. ► The efficiency of tuned mass dampers (TMDs) in controlling vibrations is experimentally evaluated.