Study on optimization algorithm of tuned mass damper parameters to reduce vehicle-bridge coupled vibration

Area of Science:

• Civil Engineering
• Structural Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering

Background:

• Vehicle loads induce vibrations in bridges, necessitating effective damping solutions.
• Tuned Mass Dampers (TMDs) are crucial for mitigating these vibrations, but their optimal design requires advanced methods.
• Steel-box girder bridges are susceptible to dynamic loading from traffic.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a coupled vehicle-bridge dynamic analysis and vibration-control model.
• To optimize Tuned Mass Damper (TMD) design parameters for enhanced damping effects on steel-box girder bridges.
• To investigate the efficiency of various optimization algorithms for TMD design.

Main Methods:

• A 7 degrees of freedom curved-beam element model for bridges and a 7 degrees of freedom vehicle model were employed.
• The TMD system was simulated using multiple rigid-body systems with springs and dampers.
• A variably-accelerated pattern search algorithm was proposed and compared against traditional methods like genetic algorithms and pattern search.

Main Results:

• The variably-accelerated pattern search algorithm demonstrated superior efficiency in optimizing TMD parameters.
• Optimized TMD parameter values obtained through different methods were closely aligned, confirming result reliability.
• The study successfully simulated bridge and vehicle dynamics, including road surface conditions.

Conclusions:

• The proposed variably-accelerated pattern search algorithm is highly effective for optimizing TMDs in bridges.
• The coupled dynamic analysis model provides a reliable framework for vibration control studies.
• Further research can explore advanced algorithms for even greater vibration reduction efficiency.