Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A novel semi-active TMD with folding variable stiffness spring

  • Published:
Earthquake Engineering and Engineering Vibration Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

An innovative variable stiffness device is proposed and investigated based on numerical simulations. The device, called a folding variable stiffness spring (FVSS), can be widely used, especially in tuned mass dampers (TMDs) with adaptive stiffness. An important characteristic of FVSS is its capability to change the stiffness between lower and upper bounds through a small change of distance between its supports. This special feature results in lower time-lag errors and readjustment in shorter time intervals. The governing equations of the device are derived and simplified for a symmetrical FVSS with similar elements. This device is then used to control a single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) structure as well as a multi-degree-of-freedom (MDOF) structure via a semi-active TMD. Numerical simulations are conducted to compare several control cases for these structures. To make it more realistic, a real direct current motor with its own limitations is simulated in addition to an ideal control case with no limitations and both the results are compared. It is shown that the proposed device can be effectively used to suppress undesirable vibrations of a structure and considerably improves the performance of the controller compared to a passive device.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abe M (1996), “Semi-active Tuned Mass Dampers for Seismic Protection of Civil Structures,” Journal of Earthquake Engineering and Structural Dynamics, 25,(7): 743–749.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Aldemir U (2003), “Optimal Control of Structures with Semiactive-tuned Mass Dampers,” Journal of Sound and Vibration, 266,(4): 847–874.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chung LL, Lin RC, Soong TT and Reinhorn AM (1989), “Experimental Study of Active Control for MDOF Seismic Structures,” Journal of Engineering Mechanics, 115,(8): 1609–1627.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Frahm H (1909), “Device for Damping Vibrations of Bodies,” US Patent No. 989,958, October 30, 1909.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ghorbani-Tanha AK (2010), “Development of a Novel Semi-active Tuned Mass Damper for Vibration Control of Structures,” 5th World Conference on Structural Control and Monitoring, 12–14 July, Tokyo, Japan, Paper No. 125.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ghorbani-Tanha AK, Rahimian M and Noorzad A (2011), “A Novel Semi-active Variable Stiffness Device and Its Application in a New Semi-active Tuned Vibration Absorber,” Journal of Engineering Mechanics, 137,(6): 390–400.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Housner GW, Bergman VT, Caughey K, Chassiakos AG, Claus SF, Masri RO, Skelton RE, Soong TT, Spencer Jr BF and Yao JTP (1997), “Structural Control: Past, Present, and Future,” Journal of Engineering Mechanics, 123,(9): 897–971.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hrovat D, Barak P and Rabins M (1983), “Semi-active Versus Passive or Active Tuned Mass Dampers for Structural Control,” Journal of Engineering Mechanics, 109,(3): 691–705.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ivers D, Wilson R and Margolis D (2008), “Whirling-Beam Self-tuning Vibration Absorber,” Journal of Dynamic Systems, Measurement, and Control, 130,(3): Art. No. 031009.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mohammadi-Ghazi R, Ghorbani-Tanha AK and Rahimian M (2012), “Adaptive Configuration Tuned Mass Damper for Mitigation of Rotational Vibrations,” Journal of Engineering Mechanics, 138,(8): 934–944.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nagarajaiah S (2000), “Structural Vibration Damper with Continuously Variable Stiffness”, US Patent No. 6,098,969, Aug. 8, 2000.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pinkaew T and Fujino Y (2001), “Effectiveness of Semiactive Tuned Mass Damper under Harmonic Excitation,” Journal of Engineering Structures, 23,(7): 850–856.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Setareh M (2001), “Application of Semi-active Tuned Mass Dampers to Base-excited systems,” Journal of Earthquake Engineering and Structural Dynamics, 30,(3): 449–462.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Setareh M (2002), “Floor Vibration Control Using Semiactive Tuned Mass Dampers,” Canadian Journal of Civil Engineering, 29,(1): 76–84.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Walsh PL and Lamancusa JS (1992), “A Variable Stiffness Vibration Absorber for Minimization of Transient Vibrations,” Journal of Sound and Vibration, 158,(2): 195–211.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yang YB, Lu LY and Yau JD In: de Silva CW, Editor (2005), Vibration and Shock Handbook, CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group, Boca Raton, Florida.

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil Engineering, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, 39187-97717, Iran

    M. H. Rafieipour

  2. School of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Tehran, P.O. Box 11155-4563, Tehran, Iran

    A. K. Ghorbani-Tanha & M. Rahimian

  3. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA

    R. Mohammadi-Ghazi

  4. Formerly with School of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Tehran, P.O. Box 11155-4563, Tehran, Iran

    R. Mohammadi-Ghazi

Authors
  1. M. H. Rafieipour
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. A. K. Ghorbani-Tanha
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. M. Rahimian
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. R. Mohammadi-Ghazi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to M. H. Rafieipour.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Rafieipour, M.H., Ghorbani-Tanha, A.K., Rahimian, M. et al. A novel semi-active TMD with folding variable stiffness spring. Earthq. Eng. Eng. Vib. 13, 509–518 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11803-014-0258-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11803-014-0258-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation