Dynamic Response Control of a Wind-Excited Tall Building with Distributed Multiple Tuned Mass Dampers

Dynamic response control of a wind-excited tall building installed with distributed multiple tuned mass dampers (d-MTMDs) is presented. The performance of d-MTMDs is compared with those of single tuned mass damper (STMD) and MTMDs installed at top of the building. The modal frequencies and mode shapes of the building are first determined. Based on the mode shapes of the uncontrolled and controlled building, the most suitable locations are identified for the dampers, in that the TMDs are placed where the modal amplitude of the building is the largest/larger in a particular mode, with each tuned to the modal frequency of the first five modes. The coupled differential equations of motion for the system are derived for the cases with the STMD, MTMDs, and d-MTMDs and solved numerically. Extensive parametric studies are conducted to compare the effectiveness of the three control schemes using STMD, MTMDs, and d-MTMDs by examining the variations in wind-induced responses. The mass ratios, damping ratios of the devices, number of TMDs, and robustness of the TMDs are the parameters of investigation. It is concluded that the MTMDs exhibit improved performance when compared with the STMD. The use of d-MTMDs is most efficient among the three schemes because it can effectively control wind-induced response of the building, while reduced space is required in the installation of the TMDs, as they are placed at various floors.