5.7. Response of SDOF Systems to Ground Motion

Try these first

1. 1.

   What is the definition of seismic excitation?

   Hint

   Think about what happens to buildings when the ground shakes.

2. 2.

   Define relative displacement in the context of SDOF systems.

   Hint

   It's a way to compare two positions.

3. 3.

   What does the equation mu¨(t)+cu˙(t)+ku(t)=-mu¨_g(t) represent?

   • The behavior of an SDOF system during static load
   • The ground motion effects on an SDOF system
   • The natural frequencies of a structure

   Hint

   Focus on what happens during seismic events.

4. 4.

   Relative displacement is defined as?

   Hint

   Think about one part moving differently compared to another.

5. 5.

   Consider a 2-story building modeled as a single-degree-of-freedom system. Calculate the relative displacement if the top mass experiences a displacement of 0.1m when the ground moves 0.05m.

   Hint

   Subtract the motion of the ground from the mass's displacement.

6. 6.

   Evaluate how changing the damping ratio of an SDOF system affects its response during seismic events. Provide a comparative analysis with examples.

   Hint

   Consider real-life structures deeply with higher damping ratios and their benefits.