To study the dynamic characteristics and integrated damage of the Chongshousi Pagoda in Pucheng County

Shaanxi Province

the vibration response of the pagoda was tested in dynamical testing equipments excited by ground random vibration.After analysis of the test results in time and frequency domains the first three order frequencies

vibration modes

and damp ratios were obtained.A finite element model of the Chongshousi Pagoda was built to calculate its dynamical characteristics.By adjusting calculation parameters the calculation results agreed with the test results

and the macro equivalent elastic modulus was acquired.Based on the modulus a damage identification index was defined by modal stiffness

and the structure damage of the Chongshousi Pagoda was evaluated.Results showed that when the elastic modulus increased with building height

the calculation results of each frequency approximated the test results.This indicated that the macro damage of the structure was relatively severe at the first floor.Therefore

the integrated damage of masonry pagodas can be evaluated by comparing results from dynamical tests to those from numerical calculation.