Comparative Studies on Nonlinear Structures with Multiple Tuned Mass Damper and Multiple Tuned Impact Damper

Abstract

This study proposes integrating the particle damping technology into multiple tuned mass damper (MTMD) to form a multiple tuned impact damper (MTID) system for suppressing the vibrations of nonlinear high-rise buildings under earthquakes. A systematic performance comparison comprising vibration damping effects and working strokes between the optimal MTMD and optimally designed MTID with a distinct multi-objective optimization strategy is addressed. The energy-based analysis is also conducted to essentially reveal the difference in damping mechanisms of the two dampers. Furthermore, due to the parameter deviations of engineering structures in practice, the robustness of MTID and MTMD is evaluated involving structural mass, damping and stiffness. The results show that MTID is capable of transferring more energy to the damper and reducing structural energy to a greater extent, thus presenting superiority in controlling structural root mean square (RMS) responses and nonlinear indicators comprising joint curvature and the number of plastic hinges compared with MTMD. Through parametric evaluation, greater robustness is validated in MTID under deviations of various structural parameters with downgraded performance fluctuation in both range and degree, and the efficient operating range of MTID under the deviation of structural parameters is given. Furthermore, a smaller working stroke of the optimal MTID system is required compared with MTMD, permitting the improved applicability of the MTID system and better space utilization in the practical building.