 Project partners:
- Department of Civil and Structural Engineering, University of Sheffield Dr Paul Reynolds, Reader in Vibration Engineering, Industrial Research Sabbatical Scheme (IRS)
- WSP Group
Overview
Since 1995, Dr Reynolds has led research into the vibration serviceability of civil engineering structures, particular floor structures under pedestrian excitation, crowd-induced vibration of sports stadia and active control of vibration in floor structures. He has also had a great deal of interaction with industry regarding vibration problems in civil structures, particularly via commercial testing and monitoring activities.
WSP is a major UK-based civil engineering consultancy with activities worldwide. Through their day-to-day activities they have been exposed to a range of vibration problems in structures, including: vibration of floor structures due to occupant activities, wind-induced vibration of tall buildings and crowd-induced vibrations in sports stadia. These problems are very difficult to fix using conventional structural modification techniques.
IRS Objectives
- Development of strategy for exploitation of current EPSRC-funded research in AVC, through development of design methodologies and guidance, both at concept and detailed design stages.
- Development of further links with other parts of the WSP organisation in the area of vibrations of tall buildings, with a view to extending research work currently carried out by the University of Sheffield in this area.
- Investigation of current practical design methodologies utilised in industry for vibration serviceability of structures (floors, footbridges, sports stadia, staircases, etc.), with a view to identifying potential areas of future required research.
Activities
Dr Reynolds was based in WSP Leeds office working closely with WSP on a range of vibration serviceability issues. This included reviewing WSP’s vibration design procedures, gaining access to internal design documentation and discussing design issues with WSP staff. This provided invaluable data that will be used for further development of vibration serviceability design guidance and for evaluation of the performance of the AVC system.
Dr Reynolds also made a number of visits to the WSP London offices and to the WSP Cantor Seinuk office in New York to discuss the problems of wind-induced vibrations in tall buildings. Through feedback from WSP and an extensive literature survey carried out by Dr Reynolds, research needs were identified to establish realistic damping levels in tall buildings, to determine amplitude dependency of damping, the effects of foundation conditions and to investigate the so-called “critical tip deflection” effect.
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Benefits
Dr Reynolds has developed a much more comprehensive understanding of the way that vibration problems are dealt with on a day-to-day basis in industry. This will lead to more focussed research activity and development of improved guidance to deal with vibration problems.
A specific programme of research into damping of tall buildings has been initiated at UoS supported by WSP. Permissions have been sought and granted for in-service monitoring of the three tallest residential buildings in the UK; additional structures will be sought via the new contacts made in the US.
Jeremy Wells, Structures Technical Coordinator, WSP said:
“WSP recognise that links with research organisations like University of Sheffield are vital for advancing design practice in technically demanding fields. Through the IRS we identified important areas for future collaboration relating to tall building design as well as taking significant steps in ongoing active vibration research.”
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