Prediction of low frequency sound fields generated in buildings by internal sources as machines
or external sources such as road or rail traffic is a difficult task. Assuming that the
source is well known, predictions are generally based on the Finite Element Method (FEM),
which is used to model building structures and vibration and sound fields, but other hybrid or
coupling methods also can be used. In general, these methods are too much time consuming
and provide results which are reliable only below 100-150 Hz. Reliability at higher frequencies
requires much larger models. It is, thus, important to develop simpler methods to be used
with confidence by acousticians and other consultants. In the present paper a method for prediction
of vibration propagation to building slabs based on the use of simplified transfer functions
between fundamental joints of the structure is presented. The method was developed
numerically for traditional multi-storey building with reinforced concrete slabs supported by
reinforced concrete beams and columns and also was experimentally validated. The method
can be used together with theoretical modal analysis to predict sound fields in dwellings

Carreira, A. S.

Neves e Sousa, Albano

Sapientia

  ICSV21, Beijing, China, 13-17 July 2014  1 The 21st International Congress on Sound and Vibration  13-17 July, 2014, Beijing/China PREDICTION OF LOW FREQUENCY VIBRATION AND SOUND PROPAGATION THROUGH REINFORCED CONCRETE STRUCTURES      Ana Carreira(1), Albano Neves e Sousa(2)       (1) ISE-DEC, University of Algarve, Campus da Penha, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal       (2) ICIST, IST-DECivil, University of Lisbon, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1, 1049-001 Lisbon, Portugal        e-mail: albano.n.e.sousa@tecnico.ulisboa.pt Prediction of low frequency sound fields generated in buildings by internal sources as ma-chines or external sources such as road or rail traffic is a difficult task. Assuming that the source is well known, predictions are generally based on the Finite Element Method (FEM), which is used to model building structures and vibration and sound fields, but other hybrid or coupling methods also can be used. In general, these methods are too much time consuming and provide results which are reliable only below 100-150 Hz. Reliability at higher frequen-cies requires much larger models. It is, thus, important to develop simpler methods to be used with confidence by acousticians and other consultants. In the present paper a method for pre-diction of vibration propagation to building slabs based on the use of simplified transfer func-tions between fundamental joints of the structure is presented. The method was developed numerically for traditional multi-storey building with reinforced concrete slabs supported by reinforced concrete beams and columns and also was experimentally validated. The method can be used together with theoretical modal analysis to predict sound fields in dwellings. 1. Introduction Prediction of low frequency sound fields generated in buildings either by internal sources as machines or by external sources such as road or rail traffic is generally a difficult task. Difficulties arise on assessing the characteristics of the sources and also on assessing the structural transmission paths, as well as on assessing sound radiation to receiving rooms from surrounding vibrating con-struction elements.1 Although all aspects are important to correctly estimate sound fields, the pre-sent paper focuses only on the transmission paths. Although analytical and hybrid methods can be used to predict structure-borne sound trans-mission, they are generally limited to simple geometries. For this reason, the Finite Element Method (FEM) is probably the numerical method which is most often used to simulate vibration propaga-tion through building structures and thus estimate the resulting sound fields. This choice is gener-ally based on the versatility of FEM computer programs, which allow modelling accurately any complex structure. However, the method also requires too much time to build the computer models and then to run them. Another disadvantage is that reliable results are generally limited to frequen-cies below 100 to 150 Hz.1 Theoretically, reliability at higher frequencies would be possible with refined models, but the rapid increase not only on computer resources but also on the calculation time makes this option much less attractive. Alternative and simpler prediction methods are thus  21st International Congress on Sound and Vibration (ICSV21), Beijing, China, 13-17 July 2014   ICSV21, Beijing, China, 13-17 July 2014                                                                                          2  required by acousticians and other consultants in order to obtain preliminary estimates of sound fields in rooms due to vibration propagation through building structures. In the present paper, a simplified method is presented for prediction of vibration propagation from building columns and beams to slabs. The method is based on the use of simplified vibration transfer functions between fundamental joints of the building structure and applies to traditional multi-storey building with reinforced concrete slabs supported by reinforced concrete beams and columns. Calculation of any combination of transfer functions is possible in order to predict vibra-tion fields and then, as rooms in dwellings have generally a shoe-box configuration, since the source power is known, theoretical modal analysis can be used to predict sound fields in dwellings. 2. Method development Considering either external or internal vibration sources, structural columns and walls, when existing, are the vertical transmission paths. Thus, propagation from or to other structural elements, such as beams or slabs, will depend strongly on the mechanical characteristics of these vertical structural elements. In the present paper, only columns are considered for vertical transmission of vibration with the following typical joints: corner column connected to two beams; edge column connected to two beams; edge column connected to three beams; inside column connected to two beams; and inside column connected to four beams. For each case, five transfer functions (H) were defined as illustrated in Fig. 1 for the particular case of excitation at a corner column: • Column base, C0, to adjacent connecting slab, S0(1); • Intermediate slab, Sn(1), to upper adjacent slab, Sn+1(1); • Top slab, SN-1(1), to roof slab, SN(1); • Intermediate slab, Sn(1), to adjacent slab in the same floor level, Sn(2); • Roof slab, SN(1), to another adjacent roof slab, SN(2).  Figure 1. Plans of the: a) first floor; and b) second to fifth floors of building 1. SN-1(1) SN(1) SN-1(1) HN-1v [SN-1(1); SN(1)] SN(2) SN(1) HNh [SN(1);SN(2)] SN-1(2) Sn+1(1) Sn+1(1) Sn+1(2) Hnv [Sn(1); Sn+1(1)] Sn(1) S1(1) Hnh [Sn(1); Sn(2)] Sn(2) S1(1) S1(2) C0 H0 [C0; S1(1)] Sn(1)  21st International Congress on Sound and Vibration (ICSV21), Beijing, China, 13-17 July 2014  ICSV21, Beijing, China, 13-17 July 2014                                                                                           3 These transfer functions were measured in existing buildings in order to calibrate FEM work-ing models. The calibrated FEM models then were converted into smaller models of 4-storey build-ings and used in a parametric analysis in order to identify and characterize the factors which control the considered transfer functions. The following parameters were considered: column length, lC; column cross section, aC×bC; slab thickness, tS; and slab aspect ratio, aS/bS. For each parameter, two screening values were considered. Also three screening values of the elasticity modulus were considered. Thus, seventeen FEM models were built according to Table 1.  Table 1. Parameters considered in each FEM model. Model E    (GPa) lC    (m) aC×bC  (m×m) tS    (m) aS/bS  (-)  Model E    (GPa) lC    (m) aC×bC  (m×m) tS    (m) aS/bS  (-) 1 34 3.47 0.25×0.50 0.19 11.25/6.10 11.25/3.40  10 34 2.50 0.25×0.50 0.30 11.25/6.10 11.25/3.40 2 34 3.47 0.30×0.70 0.19 11.25/6.10 11.25/3.40  11 30 3.47 0.25×0.50 0.30 6.10/5.70 5.70/3.40 3 34 3.47 0.30×0.70 0.30 11.25/6.10 11.25/3.40  12 30 3.47 0.40×0.70 0.19 6.10/5.70 5.70/3.40 4 27,5 3.47 0.25×0.50 0.19 11.25/6.10 11.25/3.40  13 30 3.47 0.40×0.70 0.30 6.10/5.70 5.70/3.40 5 34 3.47 0.25×0.50 0.30 11.25/6.10 11.25/3.40  14 30 2.50 0.25×0.50 0.19 6.10/5.70 5.70/3.40 6 34 2.50 0.25×0.50 0.19 11.25/6.10 11.25/3.40  15 30 2.50 0.25×0.50 0.30 6.10/5.70 5.70/3.40 7 34 3.47 0.25×0.50 0.19 6.10/5.70 5.70/3.40  16 30 2.50 0.40×0.70 0.19 6.10/5.70 5.70/3.40 8 30 2.50 0.30×0.70 0.30 11.25/6.10 11.25/3.40  17 30 2.50 0.40×0.70 0.30 6.10/5.70 5.70/3.40 9 30 2.50 0.30×0.70 0.19 11.25/6.10 11.25/3.40         In Fig. 2, the plans of typical floors with slabs having aspect ratio of 11.25/(6.10 or 3.40) and 6.10/(5.70 or 3.40) are shown.      Figure 2. Plans of typical floors considered in models with slabs having aspect ratio of 11.25/(6.10 or 3.40) and 6.10/(5.70 or 3.40).  The simplified transfer functions were obtained after some statistical work on the transfer functions given by FEM models. In Fig. 3, the simplified acceleration transfer functions obtained for a corner column are shown. It is shown that vertical and horizontal transmissions are generally identical. Frequency is more important for transfer functions involving the roof. C1 C9 C5 C10 C11 C12 C6 C7 C8 C4 C3 C2 C1       C9 C5 C10 C11 C12 C6 C7 C8 C4 C3 C2 S1 S2 S3 S1 S2 S3  21st International Congress on Sound and Vibration (ICSV21), Beijing, China, 13-17 July 2014   ICSV21, Beijing, China, 13-17 July 2014                                                                                          4  1,E+001,E+011,E+0220 25 31,5 40 50 63 80 100 125 160 200 250f  (Hz)H =a /a  (-)     H0      Hnv and Hnh      HNv and HNh Figure 3. Simplified acceleration transfer functions for corner column.  The above simplified transfer functions were then used in real case studies in order to confirm their applicability. 3. Case studies The method was applied to two illustrative buildings located in Algarve, in the south of Por-tugal. In the first case (building 1), a 5-storey building located in Lagoa was considered, whereas the second case (building 2) considers a 6-storey building located in Faro. Both buildings have con-crete flat slabs, generally supported by concrete columns with beams at the edge. However, in building 1, some slab panels are mainly supported by beams. 3.1 Building 1 In Fig. 1, the plans of the first floor and the second to fifth floors of building 1 are shown.  a)  b)  Figure 4. Plans of the: a) first floor; and b) second to forth floors (and roof) of building 1.  0 nv and nh -1v  Nh C3 S1 S4 S2 S3 C5 C4 C6 C3 S1 S4 S2 S3 C5 C4 C6  21st International Congress on Sound and Vibration (ICSV21), Beijing, China, 13-17 July 2014  ICSV21, Beijing, China, 13-17 July 2014                                                                                           5 Figures 5 to 9 show one third-octave frequency bands spectra of acceleration transfer func-tions obtained for columns C3 and C4 by measurement (red lines) and FEM models (dashed blue lines), which are compared with the simplified transfer functions (continuous blue lines).       Figure 5. Acceleration transfer functions of the type H0 for columns C3 and C4.       Figure 6. Acceleration transfer functions of the type Hnv between floors 2 and 3 for columns C3 and C4.       Figure 7. Acceleration transfer functions of the type HN-1v between floors 4 and 5 for columns C3 and C4.  Figures 5 to 9 indicate that, in general, agreement between measured transfer functions and those obtained with FEM models built for each case study is not much better than those obtained when measurements are compared with simplified transfer functions defined as described in section 2. Thus, for a number of situations, the simplified method can be an alternative to consider. H0 [C3,0; S2,1(1)] C4,0 - Column C4 at floor 0; S1,1 - Slab S1 at floor 1. H0 [C4,0; S1,1(1)] C3,0 - Column C3 at floor 0; S2,1 - Slab S2 at floor 1. H2v,3 [S2,2(1); S2,3(1)] C3,2 - Column C3 at floor 2; S2,n - Slab S2 at floor n. H2v,4 [S1,2(1); S1,3(1)] C4,2 - Column C4 at floor 2; S1,n - Slab S1 at floor n. H4v,3 [S2,4(1); S2,5(1)] C3,4 - Column C3 at floor 4; S2,n - Slab S2 at floor n. H4v,4 [S1,4(1); S1,5(1)] C4,4 - Column C4 at floor 4; S1,n - Slab S1 at floor n.     21st International Congress on Sound and Vibration (ICSV21), Beijing, China, 13-17 July 2014   ICSV21, Beijing, China, 13-17 July 2014                                                                                          6       Figure 8. Acceleration transfer functions Hnh between slabs 1 and 2 in floor 4 for excitation at C3 and C4.       Figure 9. Acceleration transfer functions HNh between slabs 1 and 2 in the roof for excitation at C3 and C4.  3.2 Building 2 In Fig. 10, the typical floor plan of building 2 is shown.   Figure 10. Typical floor plan of building 2.  Figures 11 to 15 show one third-octave frequency bands spectra of acceleration transfer func-tions obtained for columns C6 and C20 by measurement (red lines) and FEM models (dashed blue lines), which are once more compared with the simplified transfer functions (continuous blue lines). As in building 1, Figures 11 to 15 indicate that, in spite of neglecting the modal behaviour of the S4 S5 S6 S3 S2 S1  C16 C20 C8 C3 C5 C6 H4h,3 [S2,4(1); S1,4(2)] H4h,4 [S1,4(1); S2,4(2)]   C3,4 - Column C3 at floor 4; Sn,4 - Slab Sn at floor 4. C4,4 - Column C4 at floor 4; Sn,4 - Slab Sn at floor 4. H5h,3 [S2,5(1); S1,5(2)]   C3,4 - Column C3 at floor 4; Sn,5 - Slab Sn at floor 5 (roof). H5h,4 [S1,5(1); S2,5(2)] C4,4 - Column C4 at floor 4; Sn,5 - Slab Sn at floor 5 (roof).  21st International Congress on Sound and Vibration (ICSV21), Beijing, China, 13-17 July 2014  ICSV21, Beijing, China, 13-17 July 2014                                                                                           7 building structural elements, the simplified transfer functions obtained as described in section 2 provide an acceptable agreement with measured transfer functions, which is as good as that ob-tained with much more effort by FEM models built for each case study. Agreement generally is better for vertical transmission of vibration between intermediate floors than for vertical transmis-sion to the first floor or for horizontal transmission.       Figure 11. Acceleration transfer functions of the type H0 for columns C6 and C20.       Figure 12. Acceleration transfer functions of the type Hnv between floors 3 and 4 for columns C6 and C20.       Figure 13. Acceleration transfer functions of the type HN-1v between floors 5 and 6 for columns C6 and C20.  H0 [C6,0; S3,1(1)] C20,0 - Column C20 at floor 0; S6,1 - Slab S6 at floor 1. H0 [C20,0; S6,1(1)] C6,0 - Column C6 at floor 0; S3,1 - Slab S3 at floor 1. H3v,6 [S3,3(1); S3,4(1)] C6,3 - Column C6 at floor 3; S3,n - Slab S3 at floor n. H3v,20 [S6,4(1); S6,4(1)] C20,3 - Column C20 at floor 3; S6,n - Slab S6 at floor n. H5v,6 [S3,5(1); S3,6(1)] C6,5 - Column C6 at floor 5; S3,n - Slab S3 at floor n. H5v,20 [S6,5(1); S6,6(1)] C20,5 - Column C20 at floor 5; S6,n - Slab S6 at floor n.    21st International Congress on Sound and Vibration (ICSV21), Beijing, China, 13-17 July 2014   ICSV21, Beijing, China, 13-17 July 2014                                                                                          8       Figure 14. Acceleration transfer functions Hnh between slabs 3 and 6 in floor 2 for excitation at C6 and C20.       Figure 15. Acceleration transfer functions HNh between slabs 3 and 6 in the roof for excitation at C6 and C20.  4. Conclusions A method based on the use of simplified acceleration transfer functions between fundamental joints of the building structure was developed for estimation of vibration transmission through tradi-tional multi-storey building with reinforced concrete slabs supported by reinforced concrete beams and columns. A set of simplified acceleration transfer functions were defined based on a calibrated FEM model and then they were applied to case studies and compared with measured transfer functions. Although the method neglects the modal behaviour of the building structural elements, vibration transfer functions obtained in this way are as accurate as those obtained by FEM models. Although there is a need to study more cases, the obtained results indicate that it is possible to provide consultants with a set of simple acceleration transfer functions depending on a few struc-tural characteristics of the buildings, avoiding, for buildings with similar characteristics, excessive time consumption on constructing and running complex FEM models.  REFERENCES 1 Neves e Sousa, A., Lopes, I., Carreira, A.  Prediction of low frequency sound fields in buildings near railway lines, Proceedings of the 41st International Congress and Exposition on Noise Control Engineering – Internoise 2012, New York, USA, (2012). H2h,6 [S3,2(1); S6,2(2)] H2h,20 [S6,2(1); S3,2(2)] C6,2 - Column C6 at floor 2; Sn,2 - Slab Sn at floor 2. C20,2 - Column C20 at floor 2; Sn,2 - Slab Sn at floor 2. H6h,6 [S3,6(1); S6,6(2)] C6,5 - Column C6 at floor 5; Sn,6 - Slab Sn at floor 6 (roof). H6h,20 [S6,6(1); S3,6(2)] C20,5 - Column C20 at floor 5; Sn,6 - Slab Sn at floor 6 (roof). 

Prediction of low frequency vibration and sound propagation through reinforced concrete structures

Universidade do Algarve

  
ICSV21, Beijing, China, 13-17 July 2014  1 
The 21
st
 International Congress on Sound and Vibration 
 
13-17 July, 2014, Beijing/China 
PREDICTION OF LOW FREQUENCY VIBRATION AND 
SOUND PROPAGATION THROUGH REINFORCED 
CONCRETE STRUCTURES 
     Ana Carreira
(1)
, Albano Neves e Sousa
(2)
 
      
(1)
 ISE-DEC, University of Algarve, Campus da Penha, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal 
      
(2) 
ICIST, IST-DECivil, University of Lisbon, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1, 1049-001 Lisbon, Portugal 
       e-mail: albano.n.e.sousa@tecnico.ulisboa.pt 
Prediction of low frequency sound fields generated in buildings by internal sources as ma-
chines or external sources such as road or rail traffic is a difficult task. Assuming that the 
source is well known, predictions are generally based on the Finite Element Method (FEM), 
which is used to model building structures and vibration and sound fields, but other hybrid or 
coupling methods also can be used. In general, these methods are too much time consuming 
and provide results which are reliable only below 100-150 Hz. Reliability at higher frequen-
cies requires much larger models. It is, thus, important to develop simpler methods to be used 
with confidence by acousticians and other consultants. In the present paper a method for pre-
diction of vibration propagation to building slabs based on the use of simplified transfer func-
tions between fundamental joints of the structure is presented. The method was developed 
numerically for traditional multi-storey building with reinforced concrete slabs supported by 
reinforced concrete beams and columns and also was experimentally validated. The method 
can be used together with theoretical modal analysis to predict sound fields in dwellings. 
1. Introduction 
Prediction of low frequency sound fields generated in buildings either by internal sources as 
machines or by external sources such as road or rail traffic is generally a difficult task. Difficulties 
arise on assessing the characteristics of the sources and also on assessing the structural transmission 
paths, as well as on assessing sound radiation to receiving rooms from surrounding vibrating con-
struction elements.
1
 Although all aspects are important to correctly estimate sound fields, the pre-
sent paper focuses only on the transmission paths. 
Although analytical and hybrid methods can be used to predict structure-borne sound trans-
mission, they are generally limited to simple geometries. For this reason, the Finite Element Method 
(FEM) is probably the numerical method which is most often used to simulate vibration propaga-
tion through building structures and thus estimate the resulting sound fields. This choice is gener-
ally based on the versatility of FEM computer programs, which allow modelling accurately any 
complex structure. However, the method also requires too much time to build the computer models 
and then to run them. Another disadvantage is that reliable results are generally limited to frequen-
cies below 100 to 150 Hz.
1
 Theoretically, reliability at higher frequencies would be possible with 
refined models, but the rapid increase not only on computer resources but also on the calculation 
time makes this option much less attractive. Alternative and simpler prediction methods are thus 
 21
st
 International Congress on Sound and Vibration (ICSV21), Beijing, China, 13-17 July 2014 
 
 
ICSV21, Beijing, China, 13-17 July 2014                                                                                          2  
required by acousticians and other consultants in order to obtain preliminary estimates of sound 
fields in rooms due to vibration propagation through building structures. 
In the present paper, a simplified method is presented for prediction of vibration propagation 
from building columns and beams to slabs. The method is based on the use of simplified vibration 
transfer functions between fundamental joints of the building structure and applies to traditional 
multi-storey building with reinforced concrete slabs supported by reinforced concrete beams and 
columns. Calculation of any combination of transfer functions is possible in order to predict vibra-
tion fields and then, as rooms in dwellings have generally a shoe-box configuration, since the 
source power is known, theoretical modal analysis can be used to predict sound fields in dwellings. 
2. Method development 
Considering either external or internal vibration sources, structural columns and walls, when 
existing, are the vertical transmission paths. Thus, propagation from or to other structural elements, 
such as beams or slabs, will depend strongly on the mechanical characteristics of these vertical 
structural elements. In the present paper, only columns are considered for vertical transmission of 
vibration with the following typical joints: corner column connected to two beams; edge column 
connected to two beams; edge column connected to three beams; inside column connected to two 
beams; and inside column connected to four beams. 
For each case, five transfer functions (H) were defined as illustrated in Fig. 1 for the particular 
case of excitation at a corner column: 
• Column base, C0, to adjacent connecting slab, S0
(1)
; 
• Intermediate slab, Sn
(1)
, to upper adjacent slab, Sn+1
(1)
; 
• Top slab, SN-1
(1)
, to roof slab, SN
(1)
; 
• Intermediate slab, Sn
(1)
, to adjacent slab in the same floor level, Sn
(2)
; 
• Roof slab, SN
(1)
, to another adjacent roof slab, SN
(2)
. 
 
Figure 1. Plans of the: a) first floor; and b) second to fifth floors of building 1. 
SN-1
(1) 
SN
(1)
 
SN-1
(1) 
HN-1v [SN-1
(1)
; SN
(1)
] 
SN
(2) 
SN
(1)
 
HNh [SN
(1)
;SN
(2)
] 
SN-1
(2) 
Sn+1
(1) Sn+1
(1) 
Sn+1
(2) 
Hnv [Sn
(1)
; Sn+1
(1)
] 
Sn
(1) 
S1
(1) 
Hnh [Sn
(1)
; Sn
(2)
] 
Sn
(2) 
S1
(1) 
S1
(2) 
C0
 
H0 [C0; S1
(1)
] 
Sn
(1) 
 21
st
 International Congress on Sound and Vibration (ICSV21), Beijing, China, 13-17 July 2014 
 
ICSV21, Beijing, China, 13-17 July 2014                                                                                           3 
These transfer functions were measured in existing buildings in order to calibrate FEM work-
ing models. The calibrated FEM models then were converted into smaller models of 4-storey build-
ings and used in a parametric analysis in order to identify and characterize the factors which control 
the considered transfer functions. The following parameters were considered: column length, lC; 
column cross section, aC×bC; slab thickness, tS; and slab aspect ratio, aS/bS. 
For each parameter, two screening values were considered. Also three screening values of the 
elasticity modulus were considered. Thus, seventeen FEM models were built according to Table 1. 
 
Table 1. Parameters considered in each FEM model. 
Model 
E    
(GPa) 
lC    
(m) 
aC×bC  
(m×m) 
tS    
(m) 
aS/bS  (-)  Model 
E    
(GPa) 
lC    
(m) 
aC×bC  
(m×m) 
tS    
(m) 
aS/bS  (-) 
1 34 3.47 0.25×0.50 0.19 
11.25/6.10 
11.25/3.40 
 10 34 2.50 0.25×0.50 0.30 
11.25/6.10 
11.25/3.40 
2 34 3.47 0.30×0.70 0.19 
11.25/6.10 
11.25/3.40 
 11 30 3.47 0.25×0.50 0.30 
6.10/5.70 
5.70/3.40 
3 34 3.47 0.30×0.70 0.30 
11.25/6.10 
11.25/3.40 
 12 30 3.47 0.40×0.70 0.19 
6.10/5.70 
5.70/3.40 
4 27,5 3.47 0.25×0.50 0.19 
11.25/6.10 
11.25/3.40 
 13 30 3.47 0.40×0.70 0.30 
6.10/5.70 
5.70/3.40 
5 34 3.47 0.25×0.50 0.30 
11.25/6.10 
11.25/3.40 
 14 30 2.50 0.25×0.50 0.19 
6.10/5.70 
5.70/3.40 
6 34 2.50 0.25×0.50 0.19 
11.25/6.10 
11.25/3.40 
 15 30 2.50 0.25×0.50 0.30 
6.10/5.70 
5.70/3.40 
7 34 3.47 0.25×0.50 0.19 
6.10/5.70 
5.70/3.40 
 16 30 2.50 0.40×0.70 0.19 
6.10/5.70 
5.70/3.40 
8 30 2.50 0.30×0.70 0.30 
11.25/6.10 
11.25/3.40 
 17 30 2.50 0.40×0.70 0.30 
6.10/5.70 
5.70/3.40 
9 30 2.50 0.30×0.70 0.19 
11.25/6.10 
11.25/3.40 
       
 
In Fig. 2, the plans of typical floors with slabs having aspect ratio of 11.25/(6.10 or 3.40) and 
6.10/(5.70 or 3.40) are shown. 
 
  
  
Figure 2. Plans of typical floors considered in models with slabs having aspect ratio of 11.25/(6.10 or 3.40) 
and 6.10/(5.70 or 3.40). 
 
The simplified transfer functions were obtained after some statistical work on the transfer 
functions given by FEM models. In Fig. 3, the simplified acceleration transfer functions obtained 
for a corner column are shown. It is shown that vertical and horizontal transmissions are generally 
identical. Frequency is more important for transfer functions involving the roof. 
C1 
C9 
C5 
C10 C11 
C12 
C6 C7 C8 
C4 
C3 C2 C1 
      C9 
C5 
C10 C11 
C12 
C6 C7 
C8 
C4 
C3 C2 
S1 S2 S3 
S1 S2 S3 
 21
st
 International Congress on Sound and Vibration (ICSV21), Beijing, China, 13-17 July 2014 
 
 
ICSV21, Beijing, China, 13-17 July 2014                                                                                          4  
1,E+00
1,E+01
1,E+02
20 25 31,5 40 50 63 80 100 125 160 200 250
f  (Hz)
H =a /a  (-)
     H0      Hnv and Hnh      HNv and HNh
 
Figure 3. Simplified acceleration transfer functions for corner column. 
 
The above simplified transfer functions were then used in real case studies in order to confirm 
their applicability. 
3. Case studies 
The method was applied to two illustrative buildings located in Algarve, in the south of Por-
tugal. In the first case (building 1), a 5-storey building located in Lagoa was considered, whereas 
the second case (building 2) considers a 6-storey building located in Faro. Both buildings have con-
crete flat slabs, generally supported by concrete columns with beams at the edge. However, in 
building 1, some slab panels are mainly supported by beams. 
3.1 Building 1 
In Fig. 1, the plans of the first floor and the second to fifth floors of building 1 are shown. 
 
a)  b)  
Figure 4. Plans of the: a) first floor; and b) second to forth floors (and roof) of building 1. 
 
0 nv and nh -1v  Nh 
C3 
S1 
S4 
S2 
S3 
C5 
C4 
C6 
C3 
S1 
S4 
S2 
S3 
C5 
C4 
C6 
 21
st
 International Congress on Sound and Vibration (ICSV21), Beijing, China, 13-17 July 2014 
 
ICSV21, Beijing, China, 13-17 July 2014                                                                                           5 
Figures 5 to 9 show one third-octave frequency bands spectra of acceleration transfer func-
tions obtained for columns C3 and C4 by measurement (red lines) and FEM models (dashed blue 
lines), which are compared with the simplified transfer functions (continuous blue lines). 
 
     
Figure 5. Acceleration transfer functions of the type H0 for columns C3 and C4. 
 
     
Figure 6. Acceleration transfer functions of the type Hnv between floors 2 and 3 for columns C3 and C4. 
 
     
Figure 7. Acceleration transfer functions of the type HN-1v between floors 4 and 5 for columns C3 and C4. 
 
Figures 5 to 9 indicate that, in general, agreement between measured transfer functions and 
those obtained with FEM models built for each case study is not much better than those obtained 
when measurements are compared with simplified transfer functions defined as described in section 
2. Thus, for a number of situations, the simplified method can be an alternative to consider. 
H0 [C3,0; S2,1
(1)
] 
C4,0 - Column C4 at floor 0; 
S1,1 - Slab S1 at floor 1. 
H0 [C4,0; S1,1
(1)
] 
C3,0 - Column C3 at floor 0; 
S2,1 - Slab S2 at floor 1. 
H2v,3 [S2,2
(1)
; S2,3
(1)
] 
C3,2 - Column C3 at floor 2; 
S2,n - Slab S2 at floor n. 
H2v,4 [S1,2
(1)
; S1,3
(1)
] 
C4,2 - Column C4 at floor 2; 
S1,n - Slab S1 at floor n. 
H4v,3 [S2,4
(1)
; S2,5
(1)
] 
C3,4 - Column C3 at floor 4; 
S2,n - Slab S2 at floor n. 
H4v,4 [S1,4
(1)
; S1,5
(1)
] 
C4,4 - Column C4 at floor 4; 
S1,n - Slab S1 at floor n. 
  
 
 21
st
 International Congress on Sound and Vibration (ICSV21), Beijing, China, 13-17 July 2014 
 
 
ICSV21, Beijing, China, 13-17 July 2014                                                                                          6  
     
Figure 8. Acceleration transfer functions Hnh between slabs 1 and 2 in floor 4 for excitation at C3 and C4. 
 
     
Figure 9. Acceleration transfer functions HNh between slabs 1 and 2 in the roof for excitation at C3 and C4. 
 
3.2 Building 2 
In Fig. 10, the typical floor plan of building 2 is shown. 
 
 
Figure 10. Typical floor plan of building 2. 
 
Figures 11 to 15 show one third-octave frequency bands spectra of acceleration transfer func-
tions obtained for columns C6 and C20 by measurement (red lines) and FEM models (dashed blue 
lines), which are once more compared with the simplified transfer functions (continuous blue lines). 
As in building 1, Figures 11 to 15 indicate that, in spite of neglecting the modal behaviour of the 
S4 S5 S6 
S3 S2 S1  
C16 
C20 
C8 
C3 C5 C6 
H4h,3 [S2,4
(1)
; S1,4
(2)
] H4h,4 [S1,4
(1)
; S2,4
(2)
] 
  
C3,4 - Column C3 at floor 4; 
Sn,4 - Slab Sn at floor 4. 
C4,4 - Column C4 at floor 4; 
Sn,4 - Slab Sn at floor 4. 
H5h,3 [S2,5
(1)
; S1,5
(2)
] 
  
C3,4 - Column C3 at floor 4; 
Sn,5 - Slab Sn at floor 5 (roof). 
H5h,4 [S1,5
(1)
; S2,5
(2)
] 
C4,4 - Column C4 at floor 4; 
Sn,5 - Slab Sn at floor 5 (roof). 
 21
st
 International Congress on Sound and Vibration (ICSV21), Beijing, China, 13-17 July 2014 
 
ICSV21, Beijing, China, 13-17 July 2014                                                                                           7 
building structural elements, the simplified transfer functions obtained as described in section 2 
provide an acceptable agreement with measured transfer functions, which is as good as that ob-
tained with much more effort by FEM models built for each case study. Agreement generally is 
better for vertical transmission of vibration between intermediate floors than for vertical transmis-
sion to the first floor or for horizontal transmission. 
 
     
Figure 11. Acceleration transfer functions of the type H0 for columns C6 and C20. 
 
     
Figure 12. Acceleration transfer functions of the type Hnv between floors 3 and 4 for columns C6 and C20. 
 
     
Figure 13. Acceleration transfer functions of the type HN-1v between floors 5 and 6 for columns C6 and C20. 
 
H0 [C6,0; S3,1
(1)
] 
C20,0 - Column C20 at floor 0; 
S6,1 - Slab S6 at floor 1. 
H0 [C20,0; S6,1
(1)
] 
C6,0 - Column C6 at floor 0; 
S3,1 - Slab S3 at floor 1. 
H3v,6 [S3,3
(1)
; S3,4
(1)
] 
C6,3 - Column C6 at floor 3; 
S3,n - Slab S3 at floor n. 
H3v,20 [S6,4
(1)
; S6,4
(1)
] 
C20,3 - Column C20 at floor 3; 
S6,n - Slab S6 at floor n. 
H5v,6 [S3,5
(1)
; S3,6
(1)
] 
C6,5 - Column C6 at floor 5; 
S3,n - Slab S3 at floor n. 
H5v,20 [S6,5
(1)
; S6,6
(1)
] 
C20,5 - Column C20 at floor 5; 
S6,n - Slab S6 at floor n. 
 
 
 21
st
 International Congress on Sound and Vibration (ICSV21), Beijing, China, 13-17 July 2014 
 
 
ICSV21, Beijing, China, 13-17 July 2014                                                                                          8  
     
Figure 14. Acceleration transfer functions Hnh between slabs 3 and 6 in floor 2 for excitation at C6 and C20. 
 
     
Figure 15. Acceleration transfer functions HNh between slabs 3 and 6 in the roof for excitation at C6 and C20. 
 
4. Conclusions 
A method based on the use of simplified acceleration transfer functions between fundamental 
joints of the building structure was developed for estimation of vibration transmission through tradi-
tional multi-storey building with reinforced concrete slabs supported by reinforced concrete beams 
and columns. 
A set of simplified acceleration transfer functions were defined based on a calibrated FEM 
model and then they were applied to case studies and compared with measured transfer functions. 
Although the method neglects the modal behaviour of the building structural elements, vibration 
transfer functions obtained in this way are as accurate as those obtained by FEM models. 
Although there is a need to study more cases, the obtained results indicate that it is possible to 
provide consultants with a set of simple acceleration transfer functions depending on a few struc-
tural characteristics of the buildings, avoiding, for buildings with similar characteristics, excessive 
time consumption on constructing and running complex FEM models. 
 
REFERENCES 
1
 Neves e Sousa, A., Lopes, I., Carreira, A.  Prediction of low frequency sound fields in 
buildings near railway lines, Proceedings of the 41
st
 International Congress and 
Exposition on Noise Control Engineering – Internoise 2012, New York, USA, (2012). 
H2h,6 [S3,2
(1)
; S6,2
(2)
] 
H2h,20 [S6,2
(1)
; S3,2
(2)
] 
C6,2 - Column C6 at floor 2; 
Sn,2 - Slab Sn at floor 2. 
C20,2 - Column C20 at floor 2; 
Sn,2 - Slab Sn at floor 2. 
H6h,6 [S3,6
(1)
; S6,6
(2)
] 
C6,5 - Column C6 at floor 5; 
Sn,6 - Slab Sn at floor 6 (roof). 
H6h,20 [S6,6
(1)
; S3,6
(2)
] 
C20,5 - Column C20 at floor 5; 
Sn,6 - Slab Sn at floor 6 (roof). 


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Prediction of low frequency vibration and sound propagation through reinforced concrete structures

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