Experimental, analytical and numerical vibration analysis of long-span timber-timber composite floors in self-tensioning and non-tensioning configurations

Abstract

[Abstract] An experimental campaign was carried out on the dynamic behaviour of timber-timber composite pieces under different loading conditions. This study compares the behaviour of non-tensioning and self-tensioning configurations under different stages of loading. The results show that the presence of an un-bonded prestressed bar hardly alters the eigenfrequency value in comparison with non-tensioned solutions, although it significantly reduces the damping ratio. An analytical methodology is presented that makes it possible to predict dynamic behaviour in terms of eigenfrequency with great exactitude. The simplicity of factors required by the analytical technique means that this method can be used as a design tool. FEM models were developed for each test configuration, and the different load states were analysed. The results show an extremely precise match with those obtained in the test campaign, indicating that this numerical methodology is suitable for the dynamic analysis of these structural elements.