Techno Press
Techno Press

Structural Engineering and Mechanics
  Volume 29, Number 4, July10 2008 , pages 433-453
DOI: https://doi.org/10.12989/sem.2008.29.4.433
 


The vertical spanning strip wall as a coupled rocking rigid body assembly
Luigi Sorrentino, Renato Masiani and Michael C. Griffith

 
Abstract
    The equation of motion of a one way (vertical) spanning strip wall, as an assembly of two rigid bodies, is presented. Only one degree of freedom is needed to completely describe the wall response
as the bodies are assumed to be perfectly rectangular and are allowed to rock but not to slide horizontally. Furthermore, no arching action occurs since vertical motion of the upper body is not restrained. Consequently, the equation of motion is nonlinear, with non constant coefficients and a Coriolis acceleration term. Phenomena associated with overburden to self weight ratio, motion triggering,
impulsive energy dissipation, amplitude dependency of damping and period of vibration, and scale effect are discussed, contributing to a more complete understanding of experimental observations and to an
estimation of system parameters based on the wall characteristics, such as intermediate hinge height and energy damping, necessary to perform nonlinear time history analyses. A comparison to a simple standing, or parapet, wall is developed in order to better highlight the characteristics of this assembly.
 
Key Words
    rocking response; threshold acceleration; impulsive energy dissipation; amplitude dependency; scale effect.
 
Address
Luigi Sorrentino and Renato Masiani: Structural and Geotechnical Engineering Department, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
Michael C. Griffith: School of Civil, Environmental and Mining Engineering, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
 

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