Self-studynotes-BASICDYNAMICSOFSTRUCTURES.docVIP

Self-study notes - BASIC DYNAMICS OF STRUCTURES AND VORTEX SHEDDING This note are intended as a reminder of a simple method for determining the natural frequency in bending of a structure so that a check can be made to see whether this frequency coincides with that of any imposed dynamic load, particularly that caused by vortex shedding as a result of wind action. We shall not consider damping here and so shall not assess the amplitude of any resulting excitation. The method makes the reasonable and very practical assumption that any deflections of a structure are proportional to the applied force. Thus, the structural members may be considered to be springs. In accordance with Newton’s law of motion, the equation F = m.a states that if the structure carries a mass (m) its acceleration (a) is proportional to the applied force (F). By considering simple harmonic motion behaviour of the structure the basic equation required for assessment of natural frequencies is where no = frequency of vibration (cycles per second or Hz) k = elastic stiffness of the spring system supporting the mass (N/m) m = mass undergoing vibration (kg) So, we require information regarding the stiffness and mass of the system in order to determine the natural frequency. Note that the correct units for force, mass and length are N, kg and m, respectively, for this equation to give the frequency in c/s or Hz. As a simple example, consider a mass of 1.5kg suspended from a spring of stiffness 7N/mm. Hence, Consider a simply-supported bridge loaded at the quarter point by a vehicle of 10t (10,000kg). If the deflection at the loaded point has been either computed or measured to be 1.5mm under a load of 1kN, then we can compute the natural frequency. Ignoring the self-weight of the bridge, for simplification, we have spring stiffness (k) as Mass vibrated is m = 10,000 kg so that Suppose we have a cantilever of length L with a load F at the end which causes a deflection (δ) at that point. We know from s