Thin-walled structural steel sections may be particularly susceptible to dynamic excitation. Often this manifests itself in high amplitude vibration at a range of frequencies. This may cause discomfort to users through global movement of the element at low frequencies or noise generation when local plates in the section vibrate at higher frequencies. This paper describes the use of concrete in-filling to provide attenuation of vibrations. An experimental programme is described where top-hat section elements are excited by the application of a vibration source. An additional parameter; the use of improved concrete bond through mechanical connectors, has also been investigated. The tests demonstrate that the addition of the concrete mass influences the natural frequency and reduces the amplitude of natural vibration. Cracking and de-bonding of the concrete steel interface provide significant damping. The practical use of in-filling is then discussed with special reference to the use of composite connection in the provision of earthquake resistance.
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