A simple method is presented for estimation of dynamic coupling and maximum seismic responses of structures connected through links. The purpose is preparing a simple measure for distinguishing the cases where two connected structures interfere in the response of each individual structure and incorporating such cases in spectral analysis. First, each structure is analysed independently, and the natural modes with considerable interference with the other structure are identified. Then the spectral responses corresponding to such modes are modified in modal space. It is shown that the proposed method can estimate the spectral responses of adjacent systems with good accuracy.On the main diagonal, mk = 1 and no interaction exists. 614 F. BEHNAMFAR ET AL.dynamic response considerably, and second, they can be analysed separately at a preliminary design stage including the effect of the adjacent system if needed. Therefore, this method can reduce the time of the whole design process of such systems considerably. The splitting method was derived for two SDF systems and then was extended to two MDF systems connected at any level. The results of spectral analyses of the sample systems illustrated good accuracy in estimation of the maximum lateral displacements of each connected structure when analysed separately.
AUTHORS' BIOGRAPHIESFarhad Behnamfar is a faculty member at the Isfahan University of Technology, Iran, from 2003.