Characteristics of multiple tuned liquid column dampers in suppressing structural vibration

Abstract

The characteristics of multiple tuned liquid column dampers (MTLCD) in suppressing structural vibration are investigated. A parametric study involving the effects of frequency range, coefficient of head loss, number of TLCDs and central frequency on the performance of MTLCD is carried out through a numerical procedure which reflects the non-linear character of the liquid motion. The advantages and disadvantage of MTLCD are discussed. It was found that the frequency range and the coefficient of head loss have significant effects on the performance of a MTLCD; increasing the number of TLCDs can enhance the efficiency of the MTLCD, but no further significant enhancement is observed when the number of TLCDs is over five. The investigation also confirmed that the sensitivity of an optimised MTLCD to its central frequency ratio is not much less than that of an optimised single TLCD to its frequency ratio, and an optimised MTLCD is even more sensitive to the coefficient of head loss (or damping). However, to maintain the same level of efficiency as an optimised single TLCD, a MTLCD offers much wider choices in both frequency ratio and coefficient of head loss. In this sense, a MTLCD is more robust than a single TLCD.