Abstract Summary
This paper presents a general approach for modelling human–structure interaction in the case of slender strctures. Vertical vibrations are addressed in the paper. The approach is based on a model of the complete system and on a solution procedure that is able to account for the most complex dynamic conditions. The approach combines the effects of changes in pedestrians’ positions along the structure and changes in pedestrians’ postures during movement therefore taking into account different and time varying mechanical impedances. Furthermore, the model used describes the coupled system composed by the structure and the people on the structure, splitting the actions of pedestrians into two components: passive and active forces. This approach and two further enhancements of the model were used to evaluate the dynamic interactions between pedestrians and a light slender structure. The results were validated via an extensive experimental campaign carried out on a staircase in the Bovisa Campus of Politecnico di Milano. Results show a good match between the predicted vibrations and the experimentally found ones.
