Evaluation of the Dynamic Response of Buildings with TMDs Under Earthquakes

There is ample evidence that TMDs attenuate the vibration response of buildings subject to low-frequency wind loads. The same is not true for broad-banded earthquake loading. This paper investigates the effectiveness of TMDs in attenuation of vibration in buildings submitted to earthquake ground motion. A positional finite element model is developed, and employed to evaluate linear and geometrically nonlinear dynamical responses of building structures with TMDs under earthquakes. It was noted that TMDs tuned to higher frequencies work better at minimizing displacements and oscillation frequency, in contrast to what is popularly believed, that devices tuned to the building’s fundamental frequencies present ideal performance. The linear regimen showed to be sufficient to estimates the displacements of the building and the imposition of earthquake loads as equivalent lateral forces was not representative and does not describe accurately the behavior of the structure. The incorporation of TMDs showed to be very effective in reducing vibrations when the structure is subjected to earthquake loads. However, benefits are only achieved when TMDs are properly designed, and when structural responses are correctly evaluated.