16. Effects of Human–Structure Interaction from Seated Occupants on a Cantilevered Laboratory Test Structure

Vibration serviceability is an established design criterion for assembly-type structures to limit the vibration induced such that the structure’s occupants are not disturbed by such movement. Most current design guidance recommends the use of the dynamic properties of the empty structure in the dynamic response prediction. This guidance neglects the effects of human–structure interaction where the dynamic properties of the occupied structure are affected by the occupants. Experimental results from seated occupants on a cantilevered laboratory test structure are compared with analytical results obtained by modeling the occupants as an attached spring–mass–damper system. The cantilevered test structure was designed with variable supports to allow varied configurations with different natural frequencies. The experimental study includes various seated postures and group sizes on the test structure with various frequency configurations. The analytical modeling is performed using the modal parameters recommended by the Joint Working Group for passive occupants. A comparison of the resulting modal parameters of the occupied structure is presented and the results are discussed with respect to the estimation of the dynamic response of a structure for vibration serviceability assessment.