Facade Damper System for Wind Torsion Damping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Tall buildings experience significant torsion movements due to wind, leading to discomfort and requiring large inertial masses or structural changes, which are economically and space-wise inefficient.
Innovation Solution
Integrating dampers between facade elements and the supporting structure to dissipate energy through relative movements, allowing the facade to act as an active damping element, reducing torsion movements without compromising usable volume.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If large inertial masses (pendulum masses) are installed in the upper regions of buildings to reduce torsion movements, then the damping effect is improved, but the installation space occupied increases and the supporting structure must bear additional weight throughout all stories
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the damping function into multiple smaller damper units distributed across the facade elements, rather than using a single large pendulum mass. Each damper unit handles a portion of the torsion damping, collectively achieving the required damping effect while distributing the weight load across multiple attachment points on the facade structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the damping function from the supporting structure and relocates it to the facade elements. By integrating dampers into the facade system, the damping function is separated from the load-bearing structure, allowing the facade to actively participate in torsion compensation without increasing the supporting structure's weight burden.
2Reliability
If large inertial masses (pendulum masses) are installed to reduce torsion movements, then the damping effect is improved, but the installation space occupied increases reducing usable volume
Solution Approach 1:
The damping system is segmented into multiple small damper units integrated within the facade elements, replacing the need for a large centralized pendulum mass installation space. This segmentation allows the damping function to be distributed across the building envelope without encroaching on usable interior volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention moves the damping mechanism from the vertical dimension (pendulum masses hanging in the upper regions occupying vertical space) to the horizontal dimension (facade elements moving laterally in response to torsion). This dimensional shift allows damping functionality without sacrificing valuable vertical usable volume within the building.
3Reliability
If damping elements are integrated into the supporting structure obliquely to reduce oscillations, then the damping effect is improved, but the entire building structure has to be changed making it complex and seldomly applied
Solution Approach 1:
The facade elements serve multiple functions: they provide the building envelope function while simultaneously acting as damping elements through their ability to move relative to the supporting structure. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate damping structures integrated into the supporting framework, maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses the existing facade element structure and its mounting system as the basis for the damping mechanism, rather than creating entirely new structural elements. The facade elements' existing capacity for relative movement is utilized and enhanced with damper units, avoiding complex structural modifications to the supporting framework.
4Reliability
If facade elements are made movable relative to the supporting structure to enable damping, then the damping efficiency is improved, but the connection between facade and supporting structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces controlled dynamic movement capability to the facade elements, allowing them to move relative to the supporting structure in response to torsion forces. This dynamic capability is achieved through mounting systems with controlled degrees of freedom, enabling the facade to actively participate in damping while maintaining a relatively simple connection architecture.
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
Effectively reduces wind-induced torsion movements by utilizing the facade's relative movements to dissipate energy, minimizing the need for large inertial masses and structural changes, thus enhancing space utilization and damping efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the dampers are designed to damp a movement of the facade elements relative to the supporting structure
Implementation Method 2
dissipate energy through relative movements
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a building (1), in particular a multistory building,which has a supporting structure (5), and a facade (3) which is operatively connected to the supporting structure and exposed to the wind, wherein the facade (3) has a plurality of facade elements (7), wherein the facade elements (7) are designed to move relative to the supporting structure (5) in reaction to a torsion of the supporting structure (5). It is proposed that at least some facade elements (7) are operatively connected to a number of dampers (13), wherein the dampers (13) are designed to damp a movement of the facade elements (7) relative to the supporting structure (5).