A Novel Assembled Pendulum-Type ATMD for Structural Vibration Control

Abstract

This paper presents the design, modeling, and characterizing tests of an assembled freely pendulum-type active tuned mass damper (AP-ATMD) for structural vibration control, highlighting its unique features such as noncontact force transmission, nonextra stiffness, and damping members. This device can operate passively as a tuned mass damper (TMD) with optimal tuning when environmental disturbances are minimal, or it can engage efficiently in active control when significant disturbances are present. The AP-ATMD mainly consists of a robust suspension system, an arc-shaped mass block with permanent magnets (PMs), and an arc-shaped electromagnetic motor. Notably, both the electromagnetic motor and the mass block have identical curvatures. A laboratory prototype of the AP-ATMD was designed and fabricated for the purpose of characterizing tests. Furthermore, an electromechanical model based on the Bouc–Wen hysteresis loop was developed to accurately characterize the active force behavior generated by the device. The parameters of this model were identified through a series of characterizing tests of the prototype AP-ATMD under harmonic excitations, and subsequently were validated under random excitation. The results confirmed the efficacy of the proposed electromechanical model in precisely capturing the active force behavior across a wide array of operational conditions. Finally, a numerical simulation of a 3-story frame with the AP-ATMD installed was conducted. The outcomes of the simulation highlighted the AP-ATMD’s ability to reduce structural responses significantly. Moreover, the system employing the proposed electromechanical model outperformed a linear model, demonstrating a superior reduction in structural response.