Talk:Response spectrum

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I haven't found yet any external refs that I like. --Zeizmic 15:42, 25 Apr 2005 (UTC)

I have largely replaced this section because for transient input, such as seismic, there will always be a finite peak response, even with no damping. Infinite response occurs with periodic input and then only after an infinite time.--Muchado 11:27, 4 February 2006 (UTC)

Although this is a great tool for building codes, and seismic hazard analysis, there are limitations. The fundamental assumption is that these are linear oscillators, which have been exposed to a sufficient amount of shaking, as to have achieved a steady state in the equations of motion. Of course, the oscillators only register a finite peak acceleration because of the damping that is assumed, normally 5% of critical for structures. (Undamped oscillators would fling those blocks into orbit!)

Actually response spectra do not assume steady-state. They are made up of "peak responses" to any transient input. This is a common confusion due to the superficial similarity to plots of simple harmonic response to simple harmonic excitation (transfer functions). Or perhaps "response spectra" mean something else in other fields? My apologies if that is the case. Muchado 01:27, 25 May 2006 (UTC)