Dynamic Behavior Analysis of Non-structural Components with Vibration Isolating Mounts

Non-structural components such as mechanical and electrical equipment that are used in buildings have started to be used more extensively in proportion to the increasing need for comfort. Mechanical and electrical equipments with higher capacity is selected to meet energy demands such as heating-cooling, ventilation, and electrical power in larger projects serving a relatively dense population. These high-capacity non-structural components generate vibrations while operating, and the vibrations may cause discomfort in the nearby areas in terms of vibration and noise where the equipment is located. In this study, an electric generator was modeled on different floors of a 5 story school building that was modeled in the ETABS structural analysis software. The generator was installed on vibration-isolating supports which are steel-cabin spring mount. Artificial BCJ-L2 seismic ground motion was input into the building model. In addition, the horizontal seismic force acting on the generator was calculated by equivalent seismic load method and non-linear time history analysis methods according to the Turkish Building Seismic Code 2018 (TBSC-2018) and American Society of Civil Engineering Code 7–22 (ASCE 7–22). Results obtained from the codes are compared with the values obtained from the dynamic software analyses. It was observed that dynamic responses increase in the upper floors. A revision was proposed for TBSC-2018 to reflect more accurate results. When the design values obtained from the codes are compared to the dynamic analyses results ASCE results are generally on the conservative side, and results from TBSC should be increased by modifying the relevant coefficients.