Response Spectrum AnalysisShaken not stirred

A brief introduction into the world of dynamic analysis

Background
In the event of seismic occurrences, it was observed structures and their components within them
would resonant. Resonance occurs when the structures natural frequency coincides with the
seismic activitys frequency. In order for these structures to be designed with adequate structural
integrity to withstand such occurrences, engineers would perform an equivalent static analysis with
forces proportional to the structures weight.

Later it was determined, the equivalent static analysis was only adequate for certain structures
mainly shorter structures with natural frequencies with large separation margins from the seismic
occurrence. Taller structures, including components like long vertical service water pumps,
possess natural frequencies that would coincide with frequencies present during seismic
occurrences. Therefore, dynamic properties of the structure or system (mode shapes and natural
frequencies) must be considered with the response spectrum of the structure, which then can be
used to determine the resulting response in the event of a seismic occurrence. Reponses can
include displacement, velocity, acceleration, force, moment, etc.

Response Spectrum
The response spectrum itself is typically provided but generation of such plots include subjecting
an oscillating device with known spring, mass, and damping to the transient loads. Then recording
the response over time and extracting the maximum absolute amplitude over time. Repeat the
process through the frequency range using the same damping. Finally, plot the maximum
responses over time as a function of frequency. Figure 1 is an example of an acceleration
response vs frequency response spectra.


Figure 1. Acceleration vs Frequency
0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
R
E
S
P
O
N
S
E

A
C
C
E
L
E
R
A
T
I
O
N

(
G
)

FREQUENCY (HZ)
Response Spectra, North-South at 3% Damping




Response Extraction
With a response spectrum we can combine it with the systems natural frequencies or mode
shapes to determine the response of the system.

Each mode shape of the structure possesses an inherent relative displacement, effective mass,
and participation factor. The participation factor combined with the response spectrum value will
yield the mode coefficient. The mode coefficient will in turn yield the response of the mode shape.

These responses from mode shapes combined will determine the total response of the system. To
obtain an accurate solution of the entire systems response, it is necessary to combine the
responses of the individual mode shapes such that the cumulative effective mass of said mode
shapes approach 100% of the total mass. Computationally this is intensive and in general the rule
of thumb is to capture at a minimum the response up to 90% of the total mass.

Combination methods for these responses include absolute summation, square root of sum of
squares (SRSS), and complete quadratic combination (CQC). The absolute summation method is
the most conservative but is often too conservative for many applications. The SRSS method is the
most popular and works well with adequately separated frequencies. The CQC method is the most
accurate and can account for closely spaced frequencies.





Example
Imagine a 40 long vertical turbine pump in a power plant weighing approximately 21,000 lbs. The
owner would like to understand how much the pumps suction bell will displace in the event of an
earthquake. They have provided the acceleration vs frequency response spectra in Figure 1.

To simplify the example, we will look only at the first three mode shapes.

First perform a modal analysis and obtain the first three mode shapes, participation factors,
effective masses, and relative displacements at the suction bell. See Table 1.


Mode 1: 0.93014 Hz Mode 2: 7.12033 Hz Mode 3: 10.348 Hz



Table 1. Results from Modal Analysis

Mode
Frequency
(Hz)
Participation
Factor
Effective Mass
(lbm)
Relative
Displacement
(in)
Spectrum
Value
(in/sec^2)
Mode
Coefficient
Displacement
Response (in)
1 0.93014 4.4511 7655 0.27993 39.6
2 7.12033 -0.37515 54 0.17466 98.0
3 10.348 4.5767 8093 0.11578 107.8



Now calculate the mode coefficients. The spectrum input provided was acceleration, therefore the
mode coefficient can be calculated by the equation below.

=

2


where frequency is in units of radians/sec
2
. See Table 2.


Table 2. Results from Modal Analysis including Mode Coefficients

Finally, determine the displacement response for the mode shapes by multiplying the mode
coefficient with the relative displacement.


Table 3. Results from Modal Analysis including Mode Coefficients and Displacement Response

Now that the responses have been determined, an appropriate combination method must be
chosen for combining the responses. Also notice how the first three mode shapes account for
approximately 75% of the total mass, which means more modes need to be analysed to capture a
more accurate response.

Conclusion
The study of response spectra analysis is complex. This article has only provided a brief overview
and deferred discussion on single degree of free systems (SDOF), multi-degree of free systems
(MDOF), response spectrum regions, zero point acceleration, etc. Remember response spectra
analysis is very sophisticated and similar to martinis; they are better shaken not stirred.
Mode
Frequency
(Hz)
Participation
Factor
Effective Mass
(lbm)
Relative
Displacement
(in)
Spectrum
Value
(in/sec^2)
Mode
Coefficient
Displacement
Response (in)
1 0.93014 4.4511 7655 0.27993 39.6 5.1633
2 7.12033 -0.37515 54 0.17466 98.0 -0.0184
3 10.348 4.5767 8093 0.11578 107.8 0.1167
Mode
Frequency
(Hz)
Participation
Factor
Effective Mass
(lbm)
Relative
Displacement
(in)
Spectrum
Value
(in/sec^2)
Mode
Coefficient
Displacement
Response (in)
1 0.93014 4.4511 7655 0.27993 39.6 5.1633 1.4454
2 7.12033 -0.37515 54 0.17466 98.0 -0.0184 -0.0032
3 10.348 4.5767 8093 0.11578 107.8 0.1167 0.0135