Experimental and numerical investigation of a large tuned liquid column damper

Abstract

During the early design stages of a relatively slender 63-storey high-end residential tower located on the East Coast of the USA, a series of high-frequency force balance and simultaneous pressure integration wind tunnel studies highlighted that the highest occupied levels of the tall building could experience wind-induced motion that had the potential to exceed standard industry occupant-comfort criteria. In order to mitigate these excessive vibrations, additional damping was needed. Among the different types of auxiliary damping devices that can be introduced in a tall building to control wind-induced sway, the so-called tuned liquid column damper was chosen for this specific project primarily because of its simplicity in construction, low initial cost and nearly maintenance-free operation.