Influence of Construction Material Type on the Dynamic Response of Low-Rise Buildings

This study presents a numerical investigation of the dynamic response of a typical low-rise building subjected to recorded mine-induced vibrations, with particular emphasis on the role of construction material type. Several structural variants consistent with the real building configuration were analysed using a validated three-dimensional finite element (3D FEM) model. Seven load-bearing wall materials were considered, including reinforced concrete, lightweight concrete, cellular concrete, standard brick, and selected sand-lime bricks. Dynamic responses were evaluated in terms of displacements and accelerations, including time histories along the building axis, peak component values, resultant responses, and Fourier spectra. The results clearly demonstrate that material properties-especially stiffness-govern the dynamic behaviour of the structure. Low-stiffness materials, such as cellular concrete, significantly amplify both acceleration and displacement responses, increasing susceptibility to vibration-induced effects. Moreover, the dominant vibration frequencies were found to vary depending on the wall material, which directly affects resonance conditions and potential damage risk. A notable sensitivity of the calculated response to the choice of numerical evaluation point within the structure was also observed. The findings highlight the critical importance of material selection in controlling the dynamic performance of low-rise buildings exposed to mining-induced vibrations and provide practical guidance for mitigating paraseismic effects in engineering design.