Introduction to Structural
Dynamics
Engr. Therence Jade Villanueva
Technological Institute of the Philippines-Quezon City
Civil Engineering Department
Static Analysis Dynamic Analysis
“The reactions, “The reactions,
displacements, internal displacements, internal
forces and stresses are due forces and stresses are
to the static load only.” NOT only due to the
dynamic loads but also due
to INERTIA forces.”
Analysis Methods
Dynamic Response
1. Initial conditions (e.g. initial
displacements)
2. Applied forces (e.g. wind, vehicular
loads)
3. Support motions (e.g. earthquake)
Dynamic Loads
Periodic
Non-periodic
Consequences of Vibration
Overstressing
Cracks
Collapse
Damage to equipment
Fatigue failure especially in bridges
Adverse human response
Dynamic Modelling of Structures
Lumped Mass Model
◦ A simple model used to represent
the structural behavior due to
dynamic forces.
◦ The structural mass is
concentrated or lumped on a series
of preselected points of the
structure.
◦ The lumped masses described the
effect of inertia forces on the
structure during its vibration.
◦ Degrees-of-freedom (DOFs): The
total number of displacement
components, corresponding to the
directions in which the lumped
mass vibrate.
Component of an SDOF System
Inertia force (ma) is equal to mass times the
acceleration
Spring force (kx) is linearly proportional to
displacement. The proportionality factor is the
spring constant or stiffness (k) of the spring
element and is constant with respect to time.
Damping force (cv) is linearly proportional to
velocity. The proportionality factor is the damping
constant or damping (c) of the element and is
constant with respect to time.
Applied force (f) is an external force acting on
the mass.
Equation of Motion for
Vibrating System
The resulting equation of motion is a second order,
non-homogenous, ordinary differential equation:
𝑚𝑥ሷ + 𝑐𝑥ሶ + 𝑘𝑥 = 𝐹
Equivalent Lateral Stiffness
Frames on Rigid and Flexible
Supports
Springs in Parallel
Springs in Series
Free Vibration (F=0) of an
Undamped (c=0) SDOF System
Undamped Free Vibration
Example
The 2D structural frame is rigid jointed and fixed at its
supports. The mass of the structure of 5000 kg is
concentrated at the top beam which is assumed to be
rigid. The two columns are 3.0 m long and each column
has a flexural stiffness EI = 4.5 x 106 N-m2. Consider
the horizontal displacement at the top due to flexure
only as the DOF.
Damping of Structures
Damping – A decrease in the amplitude
of an oscillation as a result of energy
being drained from the system to
overcome internal friction between the
structure & nonstructural elements,
connection, opening & closing of
microcracks in concrete & other resistive
forces due to material properties and
interaction of structural elements.
Free Damped Vibration
Cases of Damped Structures
Overdamped Case
Critically Damped Case
Underdamped Case
Overdamped Case
Critically Damped Case
Underdamped Case
Damped Properties for
Underdamped Case
Typical Values of Damping (h)
Example
The 2D structural frame is rigid jointed and fixed at its
supports. The mass of the structure of 5000 kg is
concentrated at the top beam which is assumed to be
rigid. The two columns are 3.0 m long and each column
has a flexural stiffness EI = 4.5 x 106 N-m2. The
structures has a damping of 4%. Consider the horizontal
displacement at the top due to flexure only as the DOF.
