Techno Press
Techno Press

Structural Engineering and Mechanics
  Volume 15, Number 3, March 2003 , pages 269-284
DOI: https://doi.org/10.12989/sem.2003.15.3.269
 


Connection stiffness and natural frequency of DuraGal lightweight floor systems
X.L. Zhao, G. Taplin and M. Alikhail

 
Abstract
    This paper reports a series of component tests on a lightweight floor system and a method to predict the natural frequency of the floor using a frame analysis program. Full-scale floor tests are also briefly described. DuraGal steel Rectangular Hollow Sections (in-line galvanised RHS) are used as joists, bearers and piers in DuraGal lightweight floor systems. A structural grade particleboard is used as decking. Connection stiffness between different components (bearer, joist, pier and floor decking) was determined. A 40% composite action was achieved between the RHS joist and the particleboard. Both 2D and 3D models were developed to study the effect of connection stiffness on predicting the natural frequency of DuraGal lightweight floor systems. It has been found that the degree of shear connection between the bearer and the joist has a significant influence on the floor natural frequency. The predicted natural frequencies are compared with measured values from full scale floor testing.
 
Key Words
    floor system; steel hollow sections; rotational stiffness; natural frequency.
 
Address
Department of Civil Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia
 

Techno-Press: Publishers of international journals and conference proceedings.       Copyright © 2026 Techno Press
P.O. Box 33, Yuseong, Daejeon 305-600 Korea, Tel: +82-42-828-7996, Fax : +82-42-828-7997, Email: admin@techno-press.com