Torsional oscillations in symmetrical structures (Q1064151)

A two-time perturbation technique is used to study the lateral and torsional motions of a nonlinear symmetrical structure subject to a lateral sinusoidal ground motion. It is shown that when the ground acceleration frequency is about one-third of or three times the natural frequency of the lateral motion, the symmetrical structure is particularly susceptible to torsional oscillations even when the natural frequency of torsion is not close to the natural frequency of the lateral motion. The implication of this type of nonlinear coupling between the lateral and torsional motions in real structures subject to earthquakes is also discussed.