Dynamic buckling analysis of structures subjected to vertical ground excitations

Abstract

The dynamic buckling, yielding and failure of columns subjected to strong vertical ground motions were studied in this project. Both experimental and numerical studies were done on model steel columns. In the experimental tests, 51 steel columns were tested in a shake-table facility. The influence of Slenderness ratio, initial column imperfection, and the presence of an added mass on the top of each column to simulate the weight of superstructure over the column were studied. To investigate the effect of different ground motion frequencies, five different acceleration waves were used as input waves. These acceleration waves had the same wave shape but different amplitudes and frequencies. Also investigated was the effect of ground motion duration on the behaviour of the columns.