Optimal Design of Variable Peripheral Mass Dampers in Passive and Active Vibration Control of Tall Buildings

Among various alternative approaches, Tuned Mass Dampers (TMDs) represent an established technology for controlling earthquake-induced vibrations. However, traditional TMD systems need a substantial amount of additional damping mass and a sizable installation area at the top floors of the building. Due to these difficulties, besides developing a new type of modular facade system along the height of buildings, the method of Peripheral Mass Dampers (PMDs) is introduced. This technique employs several layouts of the panelized facade system as the mass dampers. However, if the facade mass changes along the height of the building, the variable PMD (V-PMD) method can be used. To show the reliability and efficiency of the proposed method, the passive/active PMD model is investigated and compared with the results of the controlled and uncontrolled models. The presented models are assumed and verified under FEMA P695 seismic records for reference structure models with 12 and 20 stories. Single- and multi-objective optimization is performed on variable mass along the height of the building and damper parameters to minimize structural responses. Meanwhile, compared with a typical non-controlled and controlled system, the results of passive models have shown a sensible reduction in all seismic responses of the building, and active strategy gives further improvements.