• Wind and Structures
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• v.2 no.4
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• pp.267-284
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• 1999

Multiple tuned mass dampers are proposed to suppress the vertical and torsional buffeting and to increase the aerodynamic stability of long-span bridges. Each damper has vertical and torsional frequencies, which are tuned to the corresponding frequencies of the structural modes to suppress the resonant effects. These proposed dampers maintain the advantage of traditional multiple mass dampers, but have the added capability of simultaneously controlling vertical and torsional buffeting responses. The aerodynamic coupling is incorporated into the formulations, allowing this model to effectively increase the critical speed of a bridge for either single-degree-of-freedom flutter or coupled flutter. The reduction of dynamic response and the increase of the critical speed through the attachment of the proposed dampers to the bridge are also discussed. Through a parametric analysis, the characteristics of the multiple tuned mass dampers are studied and the design parameters - including mass, damping, frequency bandwidth, and total number of dampers - are proposed. The results indicate that the proposed dampers effectively suppress the vertical and the torsional buffeting and increase the structural stability. Moreover, these tuned mass dampers, designed within the recommended parameters, are not only more effective but also more robust than a single TMD against wind-induced vibration.

• Wind and Structures
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.235-256
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• 2010

The aeroelastic stability of bridge decks equipped with multiple tuned mass dampers is studied. The problem is attacked in the time domain, by representing self-excited loads with the aid of aerodynamic indicial functions approximated by truncated series of exponential filters. This approach allows to reduce the aeroelastic stability analysis in the form of a direct eigenvalue problem, by introducing an additional state variable for each exponential term adopted in the approximation of indicial functions. A general probabilistic framework for the optimal robust design of multiple tuned mass dampers is proposed, in which all possible sources of uncertainties can be accounted for. For the purposes of this study, the method is also simplified in a form which requires a lower computational effort and it is then applied to a general case study in order to analyze the control effectiveness of regular and irregular multiple tuned mass dampers. A special care is devoted to mistuning effects caused by random variations of the target frequency. Regular multiple tuned mass dampers are seen to improve both control effectiveness and robustness with respect to single tuned mass dampers. However, those devices exhibit an asymmetric behavior with respect to frequency mistuning, which may weaken their feasibility for technical applications. In order to overcome this drawback, an irregular multiple tuned mass damper is conceived which is based on unequal mass distribution. The optimal design of this device is finally pursued via a full domain search, which evidences a remarkable robustness against frequency mistuning, in the sense of the simplified design approach.

• Proceedings of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute Conference
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• 1992.04a
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• pp.26-29
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• 1992

Modern tall buildings are subject to wind induced oscillations. Those oscillations can cause discomfort to the occupants. To control these motions, tuned mass dampers have been used. In this paper, component node synthesis, based on Lagrange multipliers formulation. is applied to the along-wind motion of tall buildings with multiple tuned mass dampers. Spectral densities of accelerations of top floor are compared by changing the numbers and locations of tuned mass dampers. It is found that multiple tuned mass dampers can be more effective than single tuned mass damper in reducing the acceleration response.

• Coupled systems mechanics
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.157-190
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• 2016

This paper deals with frequency analysis of Euler-Bernoulli beams carrying an arbitrary number of Kelvin-Voigt viscoelastic dampers, subjected to harmonic loads. Multiple external/internal dampers occurring at the same position along the beam axis, modeling external damping devices and internal damping due to damage or imperfect connections, are considered. The challenge is to handle simultaneous discontinuities of the response, in particular bending-moment/rotation discontinuities at the location of external/internal rotational dampers, shear-force/deflection discontinuities at the location of external/internal translational dampers. Following a generalized function approach, the paper will show that exact closed-form expressions of the frequency response under point/polynomial loads can readily be derived, for any number of dampers. Also, the exact dynamic stiffness matrix and load vector of the beam will be built in a closed analytical form, to be used in a standard assemblage procedure for exact frequency response analysis of frames.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.349-363
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• 2012

Fuzzy logic based control has recently been proposed for regulating the properties of magnetorheological (MR) dampers in an effort to reduce vibrations of structures subjected to seismic excitations. So far, most studies showing the effectiveness of these algorithms have focused on the use of a single MR damper. Because multiple dampers would be needed in practical applications, this study aims to evaluate the effects of multiple individually tuned fuzzy-controlled MR dampers in reducing responses of a multi-degree-of-freedom structure subjected to seismic motions. Two different fuzzy-control algorithms are considered, a traditional controller where all parameters are kept constant, and a gain-scheduling control strategy. Different damper placement configurations are also considered, as are different numbers of MR dampers. To determine the robustness of the fuzzy controllers developed to changes in ground excitation, the structure selected is subjected to different earthquake records. Responses analyzed include peak and root mean square displacements, accelerations, and interstory drifts. Results obtained with the fuzzy-based control schemes are compared to passive control strategies.

• Wind and Structures
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.301-314
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• 2007

The lever-type active multiple tuned mass dampers (LT-AMTMD), consisting of several lever-type active tuned mass dampers (LT-ATMD), is proposed in this paper to attenuate the vibrations of long-span bridges under the excitation directly acting on the structure, rather than through the base. With resorting to the derived analytical-expressions for the dynamic magnification factors of the LT-AMTMD structure system, the performance assessment then is conducted on the LT-AMTMD with the identical stiffness and damping coefficient but unequal mass. Numerical results indicate that the LT-AMTMD with the actuator set at the mass block can provide better effectiveness in reducing the vibrations of long-span bridges compared to the LT-AMTMD with the actuator set at other locations. An appealing feature of the LT-AMTMD with the actuator set at the mass block is that the static stretching of the spring may be freely adjusted in accordance with the practical requirements through changing the location of the support within the viable range while maintaining the same performance (including the same stroke displacement). Likewise, it is shown that the LT-AMTMD with the actuator set at the mass block can further ameliorate the performance of the lever-type multiple tuned mass dampers (LT-MTMD) and has higher effectiveness than a single lever-type active tuned mass damper (LT-ATMD). Therefore, the LT-AMTMD with the actuator set at the mass block may be a better means of suppressing the vibrations of long-span bridges with the consequence of not requiring the large static stretching of the spring and possessing a desirable robustness.

• Ocean Systems Engineering
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.201-221
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• 2018

In this paper a comprehensive study for the structural control of Jacket platform with Magneto-Rheological (MR) damper is presented. The control is implemented as a closed loop feedback of the applied voltage in the MR Damper using fuzzy logic. Nine cases of combinations with MR damper are presented to complete the work. The selection of the MR damper (RD 1005-3) is based on the operating parameters (i.e., the range of frequency and displacement). Bingham model is used to obtain the control forces. The damping co-efficient of the model is obtained using empirical relationship between the voltage in the MR damper and input velocity from the structural members. The force acting on the structure is obtained from Morison equation using P-M spectrum. The results show that the reliable control was obtained when there was a continuous connection of multiple MR dampers with the lower levels of the structure. Independent MR dampers at different levels provided control within a range, while the MR dampers placed at alternate positions gave very high control.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.77-93
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• 1998

Some design formulas and design procedures for single and multiple tuned liquid column dampers (TLCDs) are proposed in this study. Previous studies show that if the properties of the TLCD system are properly selected then the TLCD could be as effective as the traditional tuned mass dampers. In addition, the TLCD system offers advantages such as flexibility in terms of installation, little maintenance required, and potentials for multiple usage, etc., which are incomparable by other mechanical types of dampers. In this paper, a set of optimal properties such as length and head loss of a TLCD system are derived under the assumption that the building vibrates in a dominate mode and is subjected to Gaussian white noise excitation. A design procedure for a single TLCD system will be illustrated and discussed. Due to the nonlinearity in the damping term, the TLCD system is sensitive to the loading intensity. This loading sensitivity could limit the application range of the TLCD system. It will be shown in this paper that such a nonlinear effect can be reduced by using multiple TLCDs. As a demonstrative example, the control effects on a flexible building modeled as a single degree-of-freedom system subjected to white noise excitation will be analyzed and discussed using single or multiple TLCDs.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.493-515
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• 2008

Semi-active control systems have attracted a great deal of attention in recent years because these systems can operate on battery power alone, proving advantageous during seismic events when the main power source of the structure may likely fail. The behavior of semi-active devices is often highly non-linear and requires suitable and efficient control algorithm. This paper presents the comparative study and performance of variable semi-active friction dampers by using recently proposed predictive control law with direct output feedback. In this control law, the variable slip force of semi-active variable friction damper is kept slightly lower than the critical friction force, which allows the damper to remain in the slip state during an earthquake, resulting in improved energy dissipation capability. This control algorithm is able to produce a continuous and smooth slip forces for a variable friction damper. The numerical examples include a structure controlled with multiple variable semi-active friction dampers and with multiple passive friction dampers. A parameter, gain multiplier defined as the ratio of damper force to critical damper control force, is investigated under four different real earthquake ground motions, which plays an important role in the present control algorithm of the damper. The numerically evaluated optimum parametric value is considered for the analysis of the structure with dampers. The numerical results of the variable friction dampers show better performance over the passive dampers in reducing the seismic response of structures.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.31-37
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• 2014

For the vibration control of residential buildings, a multiple type slim damper system is developed and dynamic performance test is performed in this study. In conventional damping systems, larger installation space is required in order to achieve acceptable seismic performance, and as a result, it is difficult to determine efficient damping capacity of the device. The proposed damping device is composed of several small slim type dampers and linkage units. It can control damping capacity easily by changing the number of the small damper. To evaluate the proposed damping device, three slim type dampers (single-type, triple-type and penta-type) are designed and manufactured in real scale. Dynamic loading tests are performed by using the three manufactured dampers. From the tests, it is shown that damping coefficient is proportional to the number of the damper combined. Thus, test results validates the practicality of the proposed slim type dampers. applying nonlinear curve fitting technique, numerical model of the dampers are developed and presented.