Experimental Investigation of Rigid Body Rocking

Abstract

This paper presents the preliminary results of an experimental investigation on the behaviour of blocks under rigid body rocking. Nine blocks with different aspect ratios were tested with varying initial amplitudes and different materials at the contact interface. Three different materials, namely concrete, timber, and steel were used to construct the base on which the blocks could rock. The rocking characteristics of the blocks were compared to the predictions by Housner’s simple rocking model (SRM). Preliminary results show that the rocking response is strongly dependent upon the aspect ratio of the block, in general accordance to SRM. In addition, different materials at the contact interface play an essential role on the block’s rocking responses.