A Multi-Degree of Freedom Tuned Mass Damper Design for Vibration Mitigation of a Suspension Bridge

Fanhao Meng,Jingjun Yu,Yong Ma,Jiancheng Wan,Yongjun Xia

doi:10.3390/app10020457

Abstract

This paper proposes a synthetic approach to design and implement a two-degree of freedom tuned mass damper (2DOFs TMD), aimed at damping bending and torsional modes of bridge decks (it can also be applied to other types of bridges like cable-stayed bridges to realize the energy dissipation). For verifying the effectiveness of the concept model, we cast the parameter optimization of the 2DOFs TMDs conceptual model as a control problem with decentralized static output feedback for minimizing the response of the bridge deck. For designing the expected modes of the 2DOFs TMDs, the graphical approach was introduced to arrange flexible beams properly according to the exact constraints. Based on the optimized frequency ratios, the dimensions of 2DOF TMDs are determined by the compliance matrix method. Finally, the mitigation effect was illustrated and verified by an experimental test on the suspension bridge mock-up. The results showed that the 2DOFs TMD is an effective structural response mitigation device used to mitigate the response of suspension bridges. It was also observed that based on the proposed synthetic approach, 2DOFs TMD parameters can be effectively designed to realize the target modes control.

Highlights

With the tendency to use longer spans, the damping of modern suspension bridges is seriously reduced
The use of damping systems such as tuned mass damper (TMD) [7], viscous dampers [8,9], or active tendon control [10] is a classical way to alleviate the vibrations in structures
This study aims at the design of multi-degree of freedom TMD for vibration damping of a suspension bridge deck

Summary

Introduction

With the tendency to use longer spans, the damping of modern suspension bridges is seriously reduced. It is admitted that the oversensitivity to dynamic excitation of suspension bridges is associated with the very low structural damping in the global bridge modes [5,6]. The dissipation of the vibration energy generated by the dynamic loadings is a central issue in their design. The use of damping systems such as tuned mass damper (TMD) [7], viscous dampers [8,9], or active tendon control [10] is a classical way to alleviate the vibrations in structures. This study aims at the design of multi-degree of freedom TMD for vibration damping of a suspension bridge deck

Objectives

Methods

Results