International Journal of Advances in Mechanical and Civil Engineering, ISSN: 2394-2827 Volume-3, Issue-4, Aug.

-2016

OPTIMIZATION OF TUNED MASS DAMPER IN MULTISTORIED

BUILDINGS
1
DINAKARA AKARSH P., 2RONGHE G.N.
1
M.Tech. Student, 2Professor,
Department of Applied Mechanics, VNIT, Nagpur, India
E-mail: 1akarsh129@gmail.com, 2gnronghe@yahoo.com,

Abstract- Need for taller structures in real estate industry are increasing day by day around all over the world. These structures
are made flexible and constructed as light as possible in order to minimize the seismic weight (being inertia force, seismic force
is dependent on total weight) which have low value of damping which makes them vulnerable to unwanted vibration. This
vibration creates problem with serviceability requirement of the structure and also reduce structural integrity which results in
possibilities of failure. Due to rapid development in construction industry, the new innovations in structural systems are being
used to reduce wind and earthquake induced structural vibration. Now-a-days several techniques are available to minimize the
vibration of the structure. One of them is TMD (Tuned Mass Damper). The concept of using TMD as vibration controller is an
efficient and economic method. The application of tuned-mass dampers (TMD) is effective in improving the dynamic
performance of structures. A TMD consists of a relatively small mass and stiffness which is attached to the main structure. The
frequency is tuned in regard to the disturbing natural period of the system. The main structure usually possesses little damping
and hence, it is easily excited by wind and earthquakes. A TMD is equipped with viscous dampers as they control the relative
motion between main structure and the TMD. Additionally the viscous damping spreads the operation frequency band of the
TMD and thus, the operation of the TMD becomes more stable in regard to frequency changes. In this paper, a numerical study
is carried out to know the performance of TMD for both short period and long period structures under real time history
earthquakes.

Index Terms- Dynamic performance, optimization of tuned mass damper, Passive control system, Structural Control, Seismic
Behavior, Vibration, Tuned Mass Damper

I. INTRODUCTION Where
Main mass = M
A tuned mass damper (TMD) is a device consisting of Absorber mass = m;
a mass and a spring that is attached to a structure in
Main mass stiffness = K
order to reduce the dynamic response of the structure.
The frequency of the TMD is tuned to a particular Absorber mass stiffness = k;
structural frequency so that when that frequency is Main mass time period of SDOF = T
excited, the TMD will resonate out of phase with the Absorber mass time period = t
structural motion. There by reducing the wind and/or Basic method TMD1
seismic response of those modes. Energy is dissipated
by the TMD inertia force acting on the structure.

II. MODELING OF TMD (2D)

There are two methods in which a TMD can be

modeled as shown below
Method (i): The basic method of modeling a TMD is
fundamental period (t) of the TMD1 is tuned in
resonance with the fundamental period of the main
structure (T), so that a large amount of the structural
vibrating energy is transferred to the TMD1 and then
dissipated by the damping as the primary structure is
subjected to external disturbances.
Fig.1 Schematic representation of undamped vibration
absorber
Method (ii): In the other hand the compared
expressions for the optimum TMD2 parameters
developed by Den Hartog are obtained under
harmonic base excitation The optimum frequency
ratio (fopt) is the ratio of the optimum frequency of
TMD2 (ξ opt) and the frequency of SDOF structure (ω).
The optimum damping ratio of TMD2 (ξopt) is
depended to the mass of TMD (m), optimum
frequency of TMD2 (f,opt) and damping coefficient of
TMD2 (ξ,opt). The main aim of the optimization is to
minimize maximum displacement and maximum base
shear of structures.

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International Journal of Advances in Mechanical and Civil Engineering, ISSN: 2394-2827 Volume-3, Issue-4, Aug.-2016

III. MODELING OF TMD (3D)

In 3D analysis Let the fundamental mode of main

structure is translation in X-direction. One can design
the TMD1/TMD2 whose fundamental time period
matches with the main structure fundamental time
period with a phase shift difference and translation in
X-direction or in Y direction. Out of the two cases
Fig.2 Schematic representation of damped vibration absorber which will give better result for an earthquake
occurring in X / Y is a question. In this paper a
The equations of motion of a SDOF structure-TMD numerical study is carried out in SAP 2000 both short
mechanism are given as and long period structures with fundamental mode of
.. . . TMD1 and TMD2 in (a).parallel to fundamental mode
MX(t)  KX(t)  [c{x(t)  X(t)}  k{x(t)  X(t)}]  P(t) of main structure and (b).perpendicular to
(1) fundamental mode of main structure.
.. . .
mx(t)  [c{x(t)  X(t)}  k{x(t)  X(t)}]  p(t)
IV. PERFORMANCE OF TMD FOR SHORT
(2) PERIOD STRUCTURES
Where
M main mass A numerical study is carried out to study the
m absorber mass performance of TMD for short period structures
K main mass stiffness modeled by both methods in SAP 2000 (discussed in
k absorber mass stiffness 2.Modeling of TMD). A structure (SDOF system)
P(t) force acting on main mass. In case of base with time period .158 sec and damping of structure as
excitation with acceleration 5% is taken as benchmark along with 4 earthquake
.. ..
x g (t),P(t)  Mx g (t) time histories.
p(t) force acting on damper mass. It is given as 1. Time history of Kern County Earthquake - Taft
Lincoln Tunnel
m
p(t)  P(t) for base excitation and zero for 2. Time history of Imperial Valley Earthquake - El
M Centro
main mass excitation 3. Time History of Loma Preita Earthquake - Oakland
In further discussions, additional notations are Outer Wharf (Terminal, South End)
introduced here as follows: 4. Time History of Northridge Earthquake - Arleta and
µ damper mass to main mass ratio, µ = m/M Nordhoff Fire Station
ω frequency of harmonic excitations Case (a): TMD modeled by method (i)
Ω natural frequency of main mass, Ω = KM
ωa natural frequency of damper mass, ωa = k m
g1 ratio of excitation frequency to main mass
natural frequency, g1 = ω/Ω. (for MDOF system
g1 = ω/Ω1, where Ω1 is first modal frequency of
the structure
f frequency ratio, f = ωa/Ω
ξd damping ratio of TMD
ξ damping ration of main mass
Fig.3 Short period structure with TMD1 (with ξ d 5%)
Den Hartog developed closed form expressions of
optimum damper parameters f and ξd for the case when The above Fig.3 shows the short period structure with
the structure is subjected to a harmonic base TMD1 (modeled based on method (i) / without
excitation; the corresponding expressions are given considering optimal parameters). The reduction in
below response is as shown below.

Where Copt (Kn-s/m) =2ξoptfopt Ω m (5) Fig .4 Reduction in response of Short period structure TMD1
under Kern County Earthquake

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International Journal of Advances in Mechanical and Civil Engineering, ISSN: 2394-2827
Fig .5 Reduction in Base shear of Short period structure TMD1
under Kern County Earthquake
Where
From Fig.4 and Fig.5 It is observed that TMD whose
fundamental mode is perpendicular to main structure
gives better performance in both the reduction in
response and base shear for the Kern County
earthquake occurred in X-direction as well as in
Y-direction. The other earthquakes Imperial Valley,
Loma Preita & Northridge given the similar result with
some changes in % of reduction in both the parameters
base shear and response
Case (b): TMD modeled by method (ii)
If we consider the optimal parameters the properties of
TMD are given in below table.1
Table.1 Properties of TMD with considering the
optimal parameters
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Volume-3, Issue-4, Aug.-2016
Fig 6. Short period structure with TMD2 (with considering both
fopt and ξopt)
Fig .7 Reduction in response of Short period structure TMD2
under Kern County Earthquake
Fig .8 Reduction in Base shear of Short period structure TMD2
under Kern County Earthquake
From Fig.7 and Fig.8 It is observed the TMD whose
fundamental mode is parallel to main structure gives
better performance in both the reduction in response
and base shear and the reduction in response increased
from 20% to 55%. But it is found that reduction in
base shear is remains same as the previous case(i) for
the Kern County earthquake occurred in X-direction
as well as in Y-direction. The other earthquakes
Imperial Valley, Loma Preita & Northridge given the
similar result with increase in reduction of response
but not base shear.
V. PERFORMANCE OF TMD FOR LONG
PERIOD STRUCTURES
A numerical study is carried out to study the
performance of TMD for short period structures
modeled by both methods in SAP 2000 (discussed in
2.Modeling of TMD). A structure (SDOF system)
with time period 1.67 sec and damping of structure as
International Journal of Advances in Mechanical and Civil Engineering, ISSN: 2394-2827 Volume-3, Issue-4, Aug.-2016

5% is taken as benchmark along with 4 earthquake
time histories.
1. Time history of Kern County Earthquake – Taft
Lincoln Tunnel
2. Time history of Imperial Valley Earthquake - El
Centro
3. Time History of Loma Preita Earthquake - Oakland
Outer Wharf (Terminal, South End)
4. Time History of Northridge Earthquake - Arleta and
Nordhoff Fire Station
Case (c): TMD modeled by method (i)
structure gives better performance in both the
reduction in response and base shear for the Kern
County earthquake occurred in X-direction as well as
in Y-direction. The other earthquakes Imperial Valley,
Loma Preita & Northridge given the similar result with
some changes in % of reduction in both the parameters
base shear and response
Case (d): TMD modeled by method (ii)
If we consider the optimal parameters the properties of
TMD are given in below table
Table.2 Properties of TMD with considering the
optimal parameters for long period structure

Fig.9 Short period structure with TMD1 (with ξ d 5%)

The above Fig.3 shows the long period structure with

TMD1 (modeled based on method (i) / without
considering optimal parameters). The reduction in
response is as shown below

Fig 12. Long period structure with TMD2 (with considering

both fopt and ξopt)

Fig .10 Reduction in response of long period structure TMD1

under Kern County Earthquake

Fig .13 Reduction in response of long period structure TMD2

under Kern County Earthquake

Fig .11Reduction in Base shear of long period structure TMD1

under Kern County Earthquake

From Fig.10 and Fig.11 It is observed that TMD

whose fundamental mode is perpendicular to main Fig .14 Reduction in Base shear of long period structure TMD2
under Kern County Earthquake

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International Journal of Advances in Mechanical and Civil Engineering, ISSN: 2394-2827 Volume-3, Issue-4, Aug.-2016

From Fig.13 and Fig.14 It is observed the TMD whose

fundamental mode is parallel to main structure gives
better performance in both the reduction in response
and base shear and the reduction in response increased
from 12% to 20% and base shear from 15% to 20% for
the Kern County earthquake occurred in X-direction
as well as in Y-direction. The other earthquakes
Imperial Valley, Loma Preita & Northridge given the
similar result with increase in reduction of response
and base shear.

VI. PERFORMANCE OF TMD WITH VISCOUS Fig .16 Base shear reduction of long period structure with
DAMPER 1000Kn capacity viscous damper and TMD2 under Kern
County Earthquake

Today in international market very high capacity

From Fig.15 and Fig.16 It is observed that in all the
dampers are available. During the time of earthquake
cases the reduction in response is high (70% to 80%)
the relative velocity between the main mass and the
for 1% mass ratio. As the mass ratio increases the
TMD2 is very high in order to minimize the relative
reduction in response and base shear decreases. The
velocity between the two; these viscous dampers can
other earthquakes Imperial Valley, Loma Preita &
be installed in between them so that the vibration of
Northridge given the similar result only in 1% mass
the TMD2 can be reduced significantly. Initially the
ratio the reduction in both the parameters are high. It is
structure with TMD but under the considered time
concluded that usage of high capacity viscous damper
histories is to be analysed. The velocity response of the
in TMD will not lead to high reduction in response and
top floor (it TMD2 is placed in top floor) and the
base shear and also uneconomical.
velocity response of TMD2 are to be obtained and the
max relative velocities of all the considered time
VII. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
histories are to be found. According to availability of
the viscous dampers available in the market choose
1. TMD2 modeled by using optimal parameters
any capacity Let us say 1000Kn capacity. The value of
gives better results as compared to TMD1
damping (Kn-s/m) obtained from the 1000Kn capacity
whose natural frequency is tuned in resonance
1% mass ratio is 210.5 Kn-s/m .But as per optimal
with the fundamental mode of the primary
parameters calculated Copt is 16.2 Kn-s. Similarly for 2
structure in both short period and long period
to 5% mass ratio the damping values are calculated
structures.
and capacity of viscous damper are increased as shown
2. TMD2 modeled by using optimal frequency
in table 3.
parameter fopt only gives 10-40% reduction in
response in short period structures 7-20%
Table.3 Properties of viscous damper
reduction in long period structures for mass
ratio’s 1% to 5%.
3. If both the optimal frequency parameter fopt and
optimal damping parameter ξopt is considered
then the reduction in response will be higher by
The response change due to addition of viscous 3% to 8% in both short and long period
damper to the TMD2 is shown below Fig .15 and structures.
Fig.16 4. Addition of high capacity viscous damper to
TMD2 gives 10-80% reduction in response for
1% mass ratio max reduction can be achieved
and 5% mass ratio min reduction is achieved.
As the mass ratio increases the reduction in
response decreases.
5. Base shear reduction in long period structures
with TMD2 modeled with optimal parameters is
5-25% as the mass ratio increases the
percentage of base shear reduction increases.
6. TMD2 modeled by using optimal parameters
whose fundamental mode is perpendicular to
the fundamental mode of structure gives better
performance even the earthquake occurred in
Fig .15 Reduction in response of long period structure with any direction.
1000Kn capacity viscous damper and TMD2 under Kern 7. Due to availability of high capacity viscous
County Earthquake
dampers in the market usage of those dampers
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International Journal of Advances in Mechanical and Civil Engineering, ISSN: 2394-2827
for higher mass ratios gives negative results.
Calculate the damping required by using
optimal parameters and use the viscous damper
whose capacity is near to the calculated value.
CONCLUSION
TMD modeled by considering optimal parameters
with fundamental mode of TMD is opposite to the
fundamental mode of main structure give always
better performance even the earthquake occur in X/Y
direction and as the mass ratio increases the
performance is increasing simultaneously. TMD
modeled without considering optimal parameters with
fundamental mode of TMD is parallel to the
fundamental mode of main structure give always
better performance even the earthquake occur in X/Y
direction, but the overall performance is always less
than the TMD which is modeled with optimal
parameters. And usage of high capacity of viscous
dampers might not give better performance. Also it is
not economical. Viscous dampers are to be selected in
such a way that the damping value is quiet close to
optimal damping value this can be achieved only by
selecting the higher mass ratio like 10% to 15% .So

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Volume-3, Issue-4, Aug.-2016
that the reduction in both parameters as discussed
above will be more than 50%.
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