Dynamic Measurements of In-Place Steel Floors to Assess Vibration Performance

The research presented in this paper resolves several measurement issues pertaining to the experimental modal analysis of lightweight steel floor systems. This investigation represents a first step toward collecting more extensive data on the dynamic behavior of steel floor systems. These data can then be used to improve design and analysis procedures for assessing the vibration serviceability of a floor system before construction. Some of the issues investigated herein are the selection considerations for the data acquisition system and transducers, the appropriate type and placement of excitation, and fast Fourier transform processing considerations.