Efficiency evaluation of optimal TLCD and TMD for the seismic response reduction of buildings considering soil-structure interaction effect

Tuned Mass Dampers (TMDs) and Tuned Liquid Column Dampers (TLCDs) are widely recognized passive vibration control devices used to reduce structural vibrations. While TMDs have been extensively studied for mitigating the seismic responses of multi-story buildings considering Soil-Structure Interaction (SSI), the efficiency of TLCDs in these conditions remains largely unexplored. Furthermore, a direct comparison of these devices under similar conditions has not been conducted. Then, to address these gaps, this study investigates the efficiency of TLCDs and compares them to TMDs in reducing seismic-induced vibrations, focusing on the influence of SSI. The control performance of both devices depends on various parameters, primarily the frequency and damping ratios. Therefore, the Mouth Brooding Fish (MBF) metaheuristic algorithm is applied to optimize these parameters, accounting for SSI effects. To evaluate the different efficiency between TMDs and TLCDs under SSI conditions, three types of shear buildings are considered: an eight-story, a sixteen-story and a forty-story structure. The seismic responses of the uncontrolled, TMD-controlled, and TLCD-controlled buildings are examined under twenty-two far-field and fourteen near-field earthquakes, considering both fixed-base and flexible-base scenarios. Results indicate that while both devices significantly reduce seismic responses, TMDs generally outperform TLCDs, particularly in taller buildings where the impact of SSI is more significant. Further, this study highlights that neglecting SSI in the design of these devices may lead to an overestimation of their effectiveness, especially in softer soils, emphasizing the importance of considering SSI in the optimization process for accurate and reliable outcomes.