14.

557 Structural Dynamics Fall 2013

Some Approximate Formulas for Estimating
Fundamental Periods
In the early design stage of structures, application of simple empirical
formulas for estimating the fundamental period T
a
(sec) (or reciprocally,
fundamental frequency f
a
=
1
T
a
(Hz)) can be useful. This note lists some
approximate formulas for ones reference.
ASCE/SEI 7-05 method for buildings
(See ASCE/SEI 7-05 (2006), Chapter 12, Section 8.2.1 Approximate
Fundamental Period, pp.129130.)
Multi-story oce buildings of uniform plan
T
a

H
46
(1)
where H is the height of the building in meters. [Jeary and Ellis (1983)]
Cantilever masts or poles of uniform cross-section
T
a

H
2
0.56

m
EI
(2)
where m is the distributed mass (mass per unit height), EI is the
bending stiness of the section.
Tapered cantilever poles of circular cross-section
T
a

2H
2

m
EI
(3)
where EI is the stiness for the cross-section at the base, and
= 1.9 exp

4d
t
d
b

+
6.65
0.9 +

e
t
e
b

2/3
(4)
and e
t
and e
b
are the wall thicknesses at the tip and bass, d
t
and d
b
are the external diameters at the tip and base. For uniform cylindrical
tubes,
d
t
d
b
=
e
t
e
b
= 1 and = 3.52. [ECCS (1978)]
Prof. T. Yu 1 SD-08
14.557 Structural Dynamics Fall 2013
Free-standing lattice towers
Without attached ancillaries:
T
a

H
2
1500w
a
(5)
where w
a
is the average width of the structure in meters. [Stan-
dards Australia (1994)]
With attached ancillaries:
T
a

H
L
N

2/3

H
w
b
(6)
where w
b
is the width of the tower at the base, L
N
= 270 (m)
for square base towers and L
N
= 230 for triangular base towers.
[Wyatt (1984)]
Bridges with spans between 20 m and 1000 m
T
a

L
3/4
40
(7)
where L is the main span of the bridge in meters. [Pretlove et al.(1995);
Jeary (1997)]
References
American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), Minimum Design Loads for
Buildings and Other Structures, ASCE/SEI (Structural Engineering Insti-
tute) 7-05, Reston, VA; 2006.
AP Jeary and BR Ellis, On predicting the response of tall buildings to wind
excitation, J Wind Eng Industrial Aerodyn 1983 (13); 173-182.
EECS (European Convention for Structural Steelwork), Recommendations
for the Calculation of Wind Eects on Buildings and Structures, Technical
Committee T12, Brussels, Belgium.
Standards Australia, Design of Steel Lattice Towers and Masts, Australian
Standard AS3995-1994, North Sydney, Australia; 1994.
TA Wyatt, Sensitivity of lattice towers to fatigue induced by wind gusts,
Eng Struct 1984 (6); 262-267.
Prof. T. Yu 2 SD-08
14.557 Structural Dynamics Fall 2013
AJ Pretlove, JH Rainer, and H Bachmann, Pedestrian bridges, Vibration
Problems in Structures, Birkhauser Verlag, Basel, Switzerland; 1995.
AP Jeary, Designers Guide to the Dynamic Response of Structures, EF
and N Spon, London, England; 1997.
Prof. T. Yu 3 SD-08