Pendulum tuned mass damper: optimization and performance assessment in structures with elastoplastic behavior

Area of Science:

• Structural Engineering
• Seismic Engineering
• Vibration Control

Background:

• Tuned mass dampers (TMD) are used to mitigate wind and seismic vibrations in buildings.
• Pendulum tuned mass dampers (PTMD) offer a solution for structures with elastoplastic behavior under seismic loads.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the effectiveness of a PTMD in reducing vibrations of elastoplastic structures subjected to ground motion.
• To optimize PTMD parameters for seismic design criteria using statistical linearization and Liapunov equations.

Main Methods:

• A dynamic model of a primary structure with and without a PTMD was used.
• Random process description of ground acceleration was employed.
• Statistical linearization and Liapunov equation were utilized for performance assessment and parameter optimization.

Main Results:

• PTMD effectiveness and optimal frequency ratio increase with decreasing primary structure damping.
• Optimized PTMD performance is higher for linear hysteresis loops (low seismic intensity).
• PTMD controls structural plasticity, reduces vulnerability, and its performance improves with increased mass.

Conclusions:

• The PTMD effectively reduces vibrations and controls plasticity, enhancing structural protection during low to medium-intensity earthquakes.
• Optimal PTMD parameters depend significantly on soil dynamic properties.
• PTMD design and optimization enhance seismic resilience of buildings.