INTRODUCTION

This paper summarizes a program of vibration investigations of two identical

'•-story reinforced concrete test structures (Figure 1 ) , which were constructed in
1965 at the Nevada Test Site. These investigations were conducted by URS/John A.
Blume £ Associates, Eng'r.eers (URS/BJume) , for the Mevada Operations Office of the
U.S. Energy Research and Development Administration (ERDA, formerly the Atomic
Energy Commission) as part of a structural response program associated with the det-
onation of underground nuclear explosions. The structures were built to obtain ex-
perimental data on the dynamic response characteristics of high-rise concrete build-
ings, ultimately leading to the development of improved techniques for predicting
damage and response to ground motion. Effects Prediction Guidelines for Structures
Subjected to Ground Motion (9) summarizes URS/Blume's work in the ERDA program.

The test structures are 12 feet by 20 feet in plan and consist of four 9-foot
stories. Four rectangularly tied corner columns are 16 inches by \k inches. Span-
drel beams are l*t inches by 12 inches in the 12-foot direction and 16 inches by 15
inches in the 20-foot direction. The floor slabs are 6 inches thick, reinforced for
two-way action. The design of these structures was consistent with the 1^63 edition
of the American Concrete Institute building code; design for )ateral loads was based
on horizontal static forces recommended by the 1961 version of the Uniform Building
Code (UBC) for Seismic Zone 3- Provisions for ductility and reserve energy absorp-
tion capacity (1, 2) were also incorporated into the design of these structures. In
anticipation of the possible additional weight of testing equipment and nonstructural
partitions, the actual dead load plus iOO psf live load was used in computing the
weight of each story for the design lateral force calculations. Thus, when loaded
with dead load plus live load, the structures satisfied UBC Seismic Zone 3 require-
ments; but, when only dead load was present (the most common configuration), these
structures had nearly twice the capacity of the 1961 UBC Seismic Zone 3, or approx-
imately the capacity required by the 1976 UBC Seismic Zone 4. The design and con-
struction of the structures is discussed in detail in Reference 3-

TEST EQUIPMENT AND PROCEDURES

in the course of the 10-year program, various methods of dynamic excitation

were used to test the 4-story structures. The most frequent source of dynamic exci-

1
 t a t i o n was the ground motion generated by the detonation of underground nuclear ex-
plosions at the t e s t s i t e . The ground zeros or epicenters of these simulated e a r t h -
quakes were located from less than 2 miles to more than 30 miles from the test
s t r u c t u r e s , producing ground motion signals at the structures w i t h a v a r i e t y of am-
p l i t u d e s and frequencies. The maximum roof displacements observed during under-
ground nuclear t e s t i n g were between 2.0 and 2.5 cm. References 3 and 5 give a d d i -
t i o n a l data.

Another method of dynamic e x c i t a t i o n was the p u l l - r e l e a s e procedure, also

known as a p u l l t e s t . This method imposes a s t a t i c h o r i z o n t a l d e f l e c t i o n on the
s t r u c t u r e by p u l l i n g w i t h a predetermined force on a steel cable attached to the
b u i l d i n g and releasing t h i s force suddenly, causing the s t r u c t u r e to experience free
v i b r a t i o n . Although a l l modes are i n i t i a l l y e x c i t e d , the fundamental mode dominates
the response a f t e r the f i r s t few cycles of motion. In the course o f these t e s t s ,
forces up to 9000 pounds were applied ac various f l o o r levels of the test s t r u c t u r e s ,
causing maximum dynamic roof displacements up to 0.5 cm. The p r i n c i p a l advantages
of t h i s procedure are ease of f i e l d implementation and ease of data reduction to de-
termine the period and damping r a t i o of the recorded response motion. The p u l l - r e -
lease procedure was used during Test Series A through N.

The ^J-story t e s t structures were also tested using counterrotating-mass and

reciprccating-mass v i b r a t i o n generators. These mechanical devices can produce ap-
proximately steady-state harmonic motion and enable in-depth study of the response
o f s t r u c t u r e s over a wide range of frequencies and amplitudes. Through the use of
these devices, i t was possible to i s o l a t e and e x c i t e four s t r u c t u r a l modes of v i b r a -
t i o n and determine the dynamic response c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s o f each. The c o u n t e r r o t a t -
ing-mass device was esed in a d d i t i o n to p u l l tests during Test Series C, D, F, H t L,
and N, and the reciprocating-mass device was used during Test Series 0.

For very quick and approximate determination of the fundamental mode period
and damping r a t i o , the man-induced v i b r a t i o n technique was used. In t h i s method, a
man sways his body back and f o r t h in approximate resonance w i t h the fundamental mode.
Because o f the large dynamic a m p l i f i c a t i o n f a c t o r of these l i g h t l y damped s t r u c t u r e s ,
motion at and above the hu> ^n p e r c e p t i b i l i t y level can be produced.

In the course o f the v b r a t i o n tests o f these s t r u c t u r e s , a great v a r i e t y of

instrumentation and recording procedures were used to measure the h o r i z o n t a l and
v e r t i c a l notion of the f l o o r s . Velocity and acceleration time h i s t o r i e s of motion
were recorded both on paper s t r i p charts and analog tapes. Many analog records have
been d i g i t i z e d and t r a n s f e r r e d to computerized magnetic tapes f o r f u r t h e r a n a l y s i s .

MFTHODS OF RESPONSE DATA ANALYSIS

For most v i b r a t i o n t e s t s , response data were analyzed using manual techniques.

In the e a r l y years of the t e s t i n g program, hand analysis of the s t r i p charts was the
only r e t i a b l e method f o r determining the response c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s o f the 3Lructures
( i . e . , p e r i o d , damping r a t i o s , mode shape, and maximum amplitude of response). With
the improvement of d i g i t i z a t i o n and computerized analysis techniques, the manual
methods have played a less s i g n i f i c a n t role in analysis o f response data.

In recent years, a time domain analysis technique developed by Raggett (8) has
been used extensively to compute response c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s from several 4 - s t o r y t e s t
s t r u c t u r e v i b r a t i o n t e s t s . This method matches the recorded time h i s t o r y of on iso-
lated modal response w i t h a mathematical*y generated titne h i s t o r y of the response of
a s i n g l c - d c g r e e - o f - f reedoro, viscously damped system having an assured p e r i o d , damp-
Ing r a t i o , and modal p a r t i c i p a t i o n f a c t o r . These response- parameters arc: varied
( w i t h i n c c r t a i a predetermine;! l i m i t s ) by an i t e r a t i v e search procedure u n t i l the
generated tiine h i s t o r y matches the recorded t i n s h i s t o r y w i t h a minimum squared e r -
ror. The p e r i o d , damping r a t i o , and p a r t i c i p a t i o n f a c t o r r e s u l t i n g in the rainifs:um
squared e r r o r are output as the response properties of the i s o l a t e d mode. Judgment
must be exercised in using t h i s method because the i t e r a t i v e search procedure stay
produce occasional anomalous r e s u l t s .

RESULTS

In the course of the testing program, a great deal of high-quality response

data has been collected and analyzed. Unfortunately, in this short peper, it is not
possible to discuss each test extensiveiy. Six UHS/BSuae reports (3, i», 5, 6, 7, 9)
may be consulted for further details. The structures were tested with and without
several kinds of nonstructural partitions. The following discussion of results re-
flects these variations.

Results from Tests without Partitions. A significant result of the bare-frame

vibration tests conducted on the 'i-story test structures is the demonstration of the
amplitude- and time-dependent, nature of the response characteristics of reinforced
concrete structures. Figure 2 is a plot of fundamental period of vibration versus
roof displacement for the transverse direction of the south structure. This figure
shows that the period tended to increase with amplitude at levels of motion well be-
low the design level. This apparent degradation of stiffness at motion levels nor-
mally considered to be within the linear, clastic range of behavior demonstrates
that response periods measured at low-level, ambient motions may be considerably
less than those exhibited during a major earthquake, windstorm, or other kind of
dynamic excitation.

These results may bring about some uncertainty concerning the most appropriate
period for lateral force-rasist3nt design. Whereas a lower value would probably re-
sult in greater design forces (according to the I'SC design procedure), a higher val-
ue may be more realistic for significant dynamic responses. The period to be used
to calculate design forces should therefore be based on the informed judgment of the
des igner.

A closer examination of Figure 2 shows that, in some cases, several years

elapsed between tests and that, after some of Ihese intervals, for example, Test
Series N and 0, the structure displayed a decrease in period or a recovery of lat-
eral stiffness. There is no adequate theoretical explanation for this phenomenon,
but it may be a result of the filling of hairline cracks with blowing desert sand or
a recementation {"healing") of minute fractures within the concrete meters, (tore
research needs to be done to determine the factors that cause such a recovery.

Figure 3 is ^ plot of fundamental mode damping ratios varsus roof displacement

for the transverse direction of the south test structure. The curves in this figure
demonstrate a low-amplitude adjustment of energy absorption capacity that produces
a relatively constant fundamental node damping ratio at higher amplitudes. Also ap-
parent is the increase or decrease In the damping ratio that occurred between tests.
 The magnitude of the change is probably r e l a t e d t o the vibration exposure and time
between t e s t s ; however, the n a t u r e of t h i s dependence has not been determined.
These r e s u l t s a l s o sh>/ the f a l l a c y in using ani,ient-lewet damping r a t i o s to p r e d i c t
s t r u c t u r a l response at s i g n i f i c a n t motion ampl

The frequency-response curves shown in Figure h were obtained during Test

Series 0 using the counterrotating-moss v i b r a t i o n g e n e r a t o r . The v e l o c i t y and p e r i -
od for the fundamental mode ( i . e . , the spike at 2 Hz) compares well with the data in
Figure 2 for Test S e r i e s C and 0.

Figure 5 shows r e s u l t s obtained in the Jonqi:ucHfta! d i r e c t i o n of the south

s t r u c t u r e during Test S e r i e s 0. This s e r i e s , conducted in April 597'* using o
r e c i p r o c a l ing-mass v i b r a t i o n g e n e r a t o r , covered a broader range of amplitudes than
the t e s t s d i s c u s s e d above and included the dynamic p r o p e r t i e s of the fundamental
mode and higher modes of v i b r a t i o n . The magnitudes of ihe input forces used during
these t e s t s were s e l e c t e d so that approximately 75% of r e i n f o r c i n g y i e l d s f e s s
would be experienced in the most highly s t r e s s e d «e.*fbers. Thus, these t e s t a were
designed t o cause motion amplitudes g r e a t e r tha.** any p r e v i o u s l y experienced bu? l e s s
those causing s t r u c t u r a l damage.

The period of v i b r a t i o n is p l o t t e d versus root-mean-square roof v e l o c i t y i«

Figure 5 for the four tnotfes of v i b r a t i o n i s o l a t e s during Test S e r i e s 0 . The r e s u l t s
for the f i r s t mo-tie demons trass? the previously discussed low-amplitude s t i f f n e s s ad-
j u s t m e n t , leading to a r e l a t i v e l y constant period at high arepl i tucfes. During Test
S e r i e s 0, the f i r s t ffode. period reached a value of 0.53 second, which is approxi-
mately k$% g r e a t e r than the period measured during Test Scries A in 13&&. (Test
S e r i e s A involved considerably Itower amplitudes than Test Series 0.) This c o r r e -
sponds t o a 53'i reduction in s t i f f n e s s over an 8-year t e s t i n g period t h a t included
amplitudes from the ambient level to approximately the y i e l d l « v e i .

Figure 6 is a p l o t of the damping data obtained froffl Test S e r i e s 0. Like the

p e r i o d r e s u l t s , the damping r a t i o s /or a l l modes demonstrate amplitude dependence to
some degree, i t is s i g n i f i c a n t that damping radios for a l l modes are within a r e l a -
t i v e l y n a r r c range of values between approximately t . i - j ami 2 . 1 * of c r i t i c a l . This
suggests t h a t , for t h i s s t r u c t u r e , the use of the same damping r a t i o for a l l nodes
is j u s t i f i e d for design purposes.

A s i g n i f i c a n t r e s u l t of t : .e e n t i r e *t-story t e s t s t r u c t u r e t e s t i n g program, and

p a r t i c u l a r l y Test Series 0, if- the comparison of measured dynamic p r o p e r t i e s with
s i m i l a r values computed from mathematical s t r u c t u r a l models. Figure 7 ce.t?2ares the
periods and mode shapes Pleasured in Test S e r i e s 0 with computed v a l u e s , shown in pa-
r e n t h e s e s . The c a l c u l a t e d values are based on a mathematical model with fixed b o t -
tom-story columns and gross fnoment of i n e r t i a for the beams »ind colwsms. In g e n e r a l ,
the computed and recorded r e s u l t s oic reasonably close when mathematical modelinq
assumptions, computation procedur&s, and instrumentation l i m i t a t i o n s are considered.

Results from Tests w i t h P a r t i t i o n s . In a d d i t i o n t o the bars-frame t e s t s , the

^ - s t o r y s t r u c t u r e s wore equipped with various types of n o n s t r u c t u r a l p a r t i t i o n s , in-
cluding plywood, gypsum watIboard, concrete block, and hollow clay t i l e i n f i l l w a l l s .
In g e n e r a l , the t e s t r e s u l t s show that the n o n s t r u c t u r a ! p a r t i t i o n s add to the s t i f f -
ness and damping of the fundamental mode response a^.d that these e f f e c t s change with
age and exposure to l a t e r a l motion. These changes a r e probably due to a combination
 of degradation of the basic partition stiffness and loosening of the structure-parti-
tion connection.

Figures 8 and 9 are typical of the results obtained from tests using nonstruc-
tura! partitions,. Figure 8 shows a reduction in fundamental mode period thai oc-
curred when gypsum wa(1 board partitions were installed in the longitudinal direction
of the n o r m structure between Test Series A and B, and Figure 3 shows an- increase
in the datspir.y ratio. After Test Series S3, i>oth perioJ and damping increased with
further testing and higher amplitudes. The period reached a maximum value between
O.*»5 and O.'*6 second during Test Series H and then decreased for Test Series J and
K. In corurast to She periods, the dar.ping ratios increased dranat i cal ly frcm less
than \X to approximately k.$X after the installation of gypsum wailboard partitions.
After this increase, the damping ratios remained relatively constant for a nu-ber of
tests with waJtboard partitions. These changes in dynamic characteristics reflect
the combination of partition plus structure stiffness ctd energy absorption varia-
tions.

Results obtained from tests using masonry block infill walls include an inter-
esting phenomenon. After several vibration tests, the Piortar joint between the
block wall and the structure began to deteriorate, and a gap was formed. This gap
created a dual structural response system. !n this system with small displacements,
the infill walls did not participate because voids between the structure's frar.e and
the masonry walls isolated the vails. In the system with larger displacements,
there was contact between wall and frane, and therefore a stfffer structure and a
shorter period. This nonlinear behavior resulted fro>-ss the ceoiistric configuration
rather than freo a change in material properties. Further details of this behavior
and a mathematical raodel of tho structure, including tha masonry walls and gap, are
given in Reference 6.

The cotf&ination of these results indicates that nonstructural partitions may

have a significant effect on the dynamic response of structures. Some account of
partition stiffness and energy absorption should be included in the design process.

COHCIUSJOK

The data presented in this paper demonstrate the time- and amplitude-dependent
nature of the dynamic response characteristics of two 4-story reinforced concrete
structures. This dependence should be considered in lateral force-resistant design
and dynamic response prediction of concrete structures. Comparison of these test
resultt with theoretical periods of vibration and mode shapes showed that conven-
tional structural modeling techniques could be used to accurately represent response
in the elastic range.

Test results obtained with nonstructural partitions reflect the effect these
elements may have on response properties. The stiffness and energy absorption char-
acteristics of nonstructural partitions should be conjidered in design and analysis
of structures.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

T
hc Las Vegas personnel of the U.S. Geological Survey assisted in recording
the data for these tests, and the personnel of Sandia Laboratories provided test
 equipment and o p e r a t e d the v i b r a t i o n g e n e r a t o r used f o r Test Series 0. In a d d i t i o n
to f u n d i n g the p r o j e c t , ERDA a l s o p r o v i d e d v a l u a b l e a d m i n i s t r a t i v e a s s i s t a n c e .

Appendix I•--References

1. Blume, J . A . , "A Reserve (Energy Technique f o r the Earthquake Design and Rating
o f S t r u c t u r e s i n the I n e l a s t i c Range," Proceedings, Second World Conference on
Earthquar:e Engineering, V o l . I I , Tokyo, i 9 6 0 .
2. Blume, J . A . , Newrnark, U. M. , and C o r n i n g , L. H. , Design of Multistory Rein-
forced Concrete Buildings for Earthquake Motions, Portland Cement Association,
S k o k i e , I l l i n o i s , 1961.
3. John A. Blume & A s s o c i a t e s Research D i v i s i o n , Concrete Test Structures: First
Progress Report on Structural .-expanse, NV0-99~23, San Francisco, March 1368.
U. Chen, C. K. , C z a r n e c k i , R. M . , and S c h o l l , R. E . , Vibration Tests of a 4-Story
Reinforced Concrete Test Structure, J A B - 9 9 - I I 9 , URS/j'ohn A. BSume & A s s o c i a t e s ,
E n g i n e e r s , San F r a n c i s c o , January 1976.
5. freeman, S. A . , Concrete Test Structures: Second Progress Report on Structui'xl
Response, JAB-99-50, John A. Blume & A s s o c i a t e s Research D i v i s i o n , San F r a n c i s c o ,
J u l y 197?.
6. Kost, E. G., Uonlincar Dynamic Analysis of cranes with Filler Panels, JAB-39-100,
J o h n A . Blume & A s s o c i a t e s R e s e a r c h D i v i s i o n , San c r a n c i s c o , November 1 3 7 2 .
7. Raggett, J . 0 . , Influence of lionstructural Partitions on the Dyr.amio Response
Characteristics of Structures, JAB-99"9^, John A. Blume & Associates Research
D i v i s i o n , July 1972.
8. Raggett, J . 0 . , Time Donain Analysis of Structure Motions, JAB-99-103, John A,
Blurae & A s s o c i a t e s Research D i v i s i o n , San F r a n c i s c o . A p r i l 1973.
9. t'RS/John A, Blume & A s s o c i a t e s , E n g i n e e r s , Effects Prediction Guidelines for
Structures Subjected to Ground Motion, JAB-99-1J5, San F r a n c i s c o , J u l y 1975.
 - 6" Slab
r-4"
^Transverse Direction
(East-West) Structures without
Partitions

LLongitudinal South Structure Hcrth Structure

Direction
(North-South) • •
LJJ 500-
1--2" l'-2"
Plot Plan
Plan

Roof

4th Floor

3rd Floor —

2nd F l o o r — - L

1st FloorJ))lJ}IITn\ r~ •

East Elevation North Elevation

FIGURE 1 4-STORY CONCRFTE TEST STRUCTURES

 ; fr» via. , / / / ' • •
let'. 8 -v.6ci.-- ..// / / .'

o! 1..... -• 1! 3-Ja O.St

0.J9 0.3i
(Me)

FIGURE 2 DISPLACEMENT VS FUNDAMENTAL PE- FIGURE 3 DISPLACEMENT VS FUNDAMENTAL

RIOD, NO PARTITIONS, TRANSVERSE MODE, NO PARTITIONS, TRANSVERSE
DIRECTION, SOUTH STRUCTURE DIRECTION, SOUTH STRUCTURE

'•"0 4 6 8 10 12 14 16
Forcing Frequency (Hi)

FIGURE 4 FREQUENCY-RESPONSE CURVES OF ROOF FOR TEST SERIES D,

TRANSVERSE DIRECTION, SOUTH STRUCTURE
8
 '.*(0-M **!>'**

FIGURE 5 VELOCITY VS PERIOD FOR TEST FIGURE 6 VELOCITY VS DAMPING FOR TEST
SERIES 0, LONGITUDINAL DI- SERIEo 0, LONGITUDINAL DI-
RECTION, SOUTH STRUCTURE RECTION, SOUTH STRUCTURE

F 1 m Hode Second Hade Third Kode Fourth Mode

0.?03
(0.203)

O.6J6
(0.651)

0.0018 R.0031
(0) (0)

0.0« 0.0016 0.0063 -0.0113 0.013 o 0089 0.0070 -0.0354

(0) (»» (0) (0) (0) (0) W (0)
• 0.4.10 - 0.532 sec T2 • 0.154 - 0 T3 • 0.075 - 0.C.N sec r» • 0.061 - 0.063 sec
(0.466) (0.143) (0.078) (0.051)

FIGURE 7 NORMALIZED NODE SHAPES FOR TEST SERIES 0,

LONGITUDINAL DIRECTION, SOUTH STRUCTURE
 '*•••• * . i. - • •'. -

r • • ,r^ ' .. .

FIGURE 8 EFFECTS OF GYPSUM WALLBOARD FIGURE 9 EFFECTS OF GYPSUH bALLBOARD

PARTITIONS ON FUNDAMENTAL PARTITIONS ON FUNDAMENTAL
PERIOD, LONGITUDINAL DIREC- MODE DAMPING, LONGITUDINAL
TION, NORTH STRUCTURE DIRECTION, NORTH STRUCTURE

10