Dynamics of Structures (Theory and Application to Earthquake
Engineering)
The book by AK chopra is divided into three parts - SDOF systems, MDOF systems, Earthquake response,
design, and evaluation of multistory buildings.
Single Degree of Freedom Systems
He has tried to explain the concept of SDOF system in eight chapters. The concept of SDOF system basically
means response of the system to force or vibration.
The first chapter is Equation of motion, problem statement, and solution methods. It describes SDOF as
simple structures as the structures would be idealized as a large mass supported by a massless support with
stiffness "k". The system with a large mass, and stiffness is likely to vibrate forever in free vibration which is, of
course, unrealistic. That is why something called damping of the structure is necessary to incorporate.
Single Degreee of Freedom system explains some of the crucial concepts and assumptions of the system. First,
we idealize structure using different parameters. The three main parameters are - inertial, elastic, and energy
dissipation. Second, which is the most important point, it points out that more DOFs are required to determine
stiffness properties than to determine inertial properties. It is counter intuitive that more DOFs are required for
static analysis than dynamic analysis. But it makes sense as in dynamic analysis we reduce the idealization to a
lumped mass, and remove all the joints whereas in static analysis joints are not reduced - hence, the joint
rotations should also be taken. The rotational stiffness of joint effects the lateral stiffness of the structure.
Therefore, before dyanmic analysis, first we need to determine the lateral stiffness of the strucuture from static
analysis then from idealization of simple structures we should carry out dynamic analysis.
(For our research, the decoupling of slab also implies that it lowers the lateral stiffness of the structure.)
Force-Displacement Relationship, the relationship is linear at small deformations - however, at larger
deformation the relationship is non-linear. At larger deformation, the value of assumed constant "k" is lower
than what is assumed or expected resulting in larger deformation than expected. Beyond what limit of
deformation, the value of stiffness changes, thus, must be acknowledged.
Linearly Elastic System, Elastic does not necessarily mean the relationship between force and displacement is
linear. The word "Elastic" implies that the loading and unloading curve is same that is no permanent
deformation, or in other word the system returns to the original position. "Elastic" does not care about the
nature of path the structure follows. "Linearly" is the one that mean the relationship is linear, and linear does not
care about if the structure would return back originally to its home. It just means the path of loading or
unloading is linear, but it does not necessarily say they are the same. We are dealing with an idealized structure
which is linear and elastic. Equation of the stiffness of a frame is given for three different situation - a) very very
rigid beam, b) beam with no rigidity (it is just like there is no beam), c) rigidity of beam and column is same,
and d) with some rigidity (shear deformation neglected). Shear deformation neglected means the plane remains
plane after deformation too that is flexural deformation. In the fourth equation of stiffness, beam-to-column
stiffness ratio term is introduced. The equation suggests if the ratio is very high, lateral stiffness is very high too.
Similarly, another term "Static Condensation" is introduced which is detailly explained in chapter-9 - however,
it just means to eliminate joints rotational DOFs.
Inelastic System
