Optimization of pendulum and mass-spring tuned mass dampers on complex structures using analytical formulae and reduced order models

Tuned mass dampers (TMDs) are used in civil engineering to passively mitigate the vibrations of tall structures and buildings. They are of two main types : mass-spring and pendulum TMDs. A simple and practical way to design such devices is to use analytical tuning rules and the assumption that the main structure can be reduced to a one degree of freedom system [1]. More complex approaches rely on numerical optimization which are computationally very expensive. There exists a compromise which would consist in designing a new methodology which allows to apply simple analytical optimum tuning rules to complex structures modeled with the finite element model.

 References

[1] A. Deraemaekerand P. Soltani. A short note on equal peak design for the pendulum tuned mass dampers. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part K: Journal of Multi-Body Dynamics, 2016. Technical Note.

Objectives of the master thesis

The work consists in developing a methodology to tune TMDs applied to complex structures. As the TMD only acts in a narrow frequency band around the resonance, we propose to use model reduction techniques which are efficient to represent the dynamic behavior of the structure in that frequency band. These model reduction techniques are based on a finite element modeling of the structure. The usefulness and limitations of such an approach will be assessed in this thesis using the numerical modeling tool “Structural Dynamics Toolbox” under Matlab  (http://www.sdtools.com)

Arnaud Deraemaeker (aderaema@ulb.ac.be)

(BATir)

Co-Supervisor

Christophe Collette (ccollett@ulb.ac.be)

(BEAMS)

Cédric Dumoulin(cedumoul@ulb.ac.be)

English/French

Architectural Engineering/Civil Engineering/Mechanical Engineering

The student must have an interest in Structural Dynamics and the finite element method, basic programming skills in Matlab.