Dynamic response of floors induced by a single walking pedestrian including walking path variability

This paper proposes a general non-dimensional closed-form solution to calculate the dynamic response of simply supported rectangular floors crossed by a single pedestrian schematized as a deterministic moving multi-harmonic load. The critical walking paths, which can provide the maximum vibration response, are identified and then a simplified approximated closed-form solution for the dynamic response due to a moving resonant harmonic load along the critical walking paths is proposed. Finally, the accuracy of simplified methods suggested by current guidelines is investigated by comparing the maximum non-dimensional acceleration response obtained from design guidelines with the corresponding value calculated by the analytical solution.