Application of Tuned Mass Dampers To Control Vibrations of Composite Floor Systems

Although the incidence of floor vibration problems appears to be on the rise, the use of mechanical damping devices to control vibrations is limited. In a recent survey of vibration control methods, Murray reports that passive-mechanical damping methods, including viscous damping, visco-elastic damping, and tuned-mass dampers, have often gone untried outside the laboratory or have had marginal impact in actual buildings. This is particularly unfortunate because mechanical dampers can sometimes control floor vibrations more cheaply than structural stiffening, and are often the only viable means of vibration control in existing structures. This paper details the successful implementation of a tuned-mass damping system to reduce the steady-state vibrations of the longspan, cantilevered, composite floor system at the Terrace on the Park Building in New York City. The experience with this implementation suggests that tuned mass dampers (TMDs) can be successfully employed to control steady-state vibration problems of other composite floor systems. The potential for general application of TMDs in composite floor systems is discussed, and areas for further research are suggested.