Design of tuned mass dampers for large structures using modal analysis

Abstract

Tuned mass damper is a device, which can be highly useful when dealing with excessive vibration and is widely used in many engineering fields. However, its proper design and optimization is a complicated task. This study uses mode superposition method to speed up the evaluation of dynamic response. The speed of response calculation allows for a quick calculation of frequency response function and numerical optimization of tuned mass dampers. This optimization method is demonstrated on a numerical example of a cable stayed footbridge. The example compares a simplified and widely used design method of tuned mass damper with numerical optimization.