Performance and Cost Evaluation of a Smart Tuned Mass Damper for Suppressing Wind-Induced Lateral-Torsional Motion of Tall Structures

The implementation of a vibration control system has always been associated with considerable capital and long-standing maintenance costs, resulting in limited practical applications of damping devices. The notion of a massive implementation cost is largely the result of a lack of cost analysis of vibration control systems in the literature. This paper presents the structural design of a wind-sensitive tall building at various design stages and the results of a collaborative study with two damper construction companies on the cost estimation of a control device. A series of wind tunnel pressure tests were conducted on a 1:400 scale model to determine the translational and torsional wind forces acting on the studied building. A structural optimization was subsequently employed to reduce the excessive top deflection, and a smart tuned mass damper was implemented at the final design stage to meet occupant comfort criteria. The details of each structural design stage, the implementation of vibration control devices, and a collaborative study on damper cost are outlined in this paper. DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)ST.1943-541X.0000486. (C) 2012 American Society of Civil Engineers