Optimization of Inerter-Based Dynamic Vibration Absorbers for Vibration Control in Buildings Subjected to Seismic Excitations

Abstract

The design of dynamic vibration absorbers (DVAs), such as tuned mass dampers (TMDs), often requires substantial mass, limiting their application in buildings. To enhance seismic performance, the mechanical inerter, a device that amplifies mass, has emerged as a promising alternative. Integrated into DVAs, TMD Inerter (TMDI) and tuned inerter damper (TID) leverage this effect to improve vibration control. This study proposes a comprehensive methodology to optimize TMDI and TID devices through systematic comparison of three metaheuristic algorithms—gray wolf optimization (GWO), salp swarm algorithm (SSA), and circle-inspired optimization algorithm (CIOA)—with specific focus on the influence of device positioning and acceleration disparity between inerter terminals. Three buildings with distinct dynamics are analyzed to minimize story drift under artificial seismic loads, with optimization parameters selected within practically feasible ranges based on existing inerter technology implementations. A total of 693 simulations were performed for the 7 different proposed situations. The results, validated against 12 real earthquakes representing both near-fault and far-fault scenarios, reveal that TMDI and TID outperform TMDs, with GWO achieving superior displacement reductions in fewer iterations. The findings highlight the critical role of acceleration disparity in inerter effectiveness, demonstrating that positioning at base or mid-height locations maximizes performance by exploiting acceleration differences between terminals. The proposed methodology proved effective and can offer valuable insights and tools to support the practical design and optimization of these innovative devices for real-world seismic applications.