Tuned Mass Dampers for Balcony Vibration Control

Abstract

Problems associated with floor vibrations caused by human movements are becoming more prevalent. In this paper tuned mass dampers are used to reduce the excessive vibrations of a long-span balcony due to spectator-induced resonance. A three-dimensional computer model of the system is developed and its main characteristics are established through matching the dynamic properties of the model with the results of a number of dynamic tests. Five pairs of tuned mass dampers are considered to act together to suppress the resonant response of the system. These mass dampers are tuned to the first two natural modes of the structure, which had the highest possibility of excitation. Optimum design parameters of these tuned mass dampers are developed using the equivalent single degree of freedom (SDOF) model. Test data obtained after the installation of tuned mass dampers is used to evaluate their effectiveness for the reduction of the vibration amplitude.