Distributed Swinging-Mass Damping for High-Rise Vibration Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Tuned Mass Dampers (TMDs) for vibration reduction in tall buildings are bulky, occupy valuable space, and require precise calibration, limiting their effectiveness and commercial viability.
Innovation Solution
A dynamic vibration damping system utilizing multiple small swinging masses distributed across a building's façades, slabs, and partition walls, which absorb energy through horizontal springs and dampers, reducing acceleration without the need for large, centrally located masses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional Tuned Mass Damper (TMD) with a large secondary mass is used to reduce vibrations in tall buildings, then the vibration damping effectiveness is improved, but the occupied space at the top of the building increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single large secondary mass of a conventional TMD into multiple smaller masses distributed across different floors and locations within the building. Each small mass acts as an independent damping unit, collectively providing the required vibration damping effect while occupying much less concentrated space at the building top.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a centralized vertical arrangement (single large mass at the top) to a distributed three-dimensional arrangement of multiple small masses throughout the building volume. This spatial redistribution allows the system to achieve the same damping effectiveness while utilizing building space more efficiently and preserving valuable rooftop area.
2Reliability
If a conventional TMD with a large secondary mass is installed to achieve significant acceleration reduction, then the vibration control performance is improved, but the construction cost and capital investment increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the large secondary mass into multiple smaller masses, each with reduced individual weight. While the cumulative mass remains comparable, the distributed configuration allows for more efficient structural integration and reduced foundation requirements, thereby lowering overall construction costs and capital investment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent places small damping masses at strategically selected locations throughout the building where they can most effectively counter local vibration modes. This localized approach optimizes the damping efficiency per unit mass, reducing the total mass required compared to a conventional centralized TMD.
3Reliability
If a conventional TMD is used for vibration damping, then the reduction in building acceleration is achieved, but the calibration precision requirements increase to avoid worse performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single critical calibration target into multiple smaller calibration targets distributed throughout the building. This segmentation provides redundancy and flexibility in calibration, allowing the system to achieve effective damping even if individual units are not perfectly tuned, thereby reducing overall calibration precision requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent distributes multiple damping units with varying mass values and positions, creating a broader frequency response coverage. This parameter diversification makes the overall system more robust to calibration variations, as the collective effect of multiple units with different characteristics provides stable damping across a wider range of conditions.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution provides significant acceleration reduction while optimizing space usage and reducing construction costs, offering greater profitability by preserving valuable rental area and allowing for easier calibration, with a cumulative mass equivalent to 0.1-0.2% of the building weight.
Implementation Method 1
this effect in reality is produced by an inertial action of the secondary mass, which vibrates in phase opposition to the vibrating primary system
Implementation Method 2
one or more horizontal springs fixed to the swinging mass to absorb the energy generated by the movements of the swinging mass
Implementation Method 3
one or more dampers fixed to the swinging mass able to damp movements of the swinging mass
Data Source
AI summary
The dynamic vibration damping system for a building, comprises damping units inserted in housings located in the building façades, or slabs, or partition walls. The damping units comprise a swinging mass (2) sliding horizontally in opposite directions on a swinging plane parallel to the façade or to the slab or to the partition wall when the building vibrates, horizontal springs (3) to absorb the energy generated by the movements of the swinging mass (2), and dampers (4) to damp movements of the swinging mass (2).