Parameter optimization of toroidal tuned liquid column dampers for suppressing multi-directional harmonic vibration of structures

In this article, optimization of the toroidal tuned liquid column damper (TTLCD) for suppressing harmonic vibration is investigated. First, a closed-form solution for the TTLCD-structure system is derived. Based on the solution, optimization is carried out and some design tables listing the optimum parameters are obtained. Secondly, a parametric investigation of key parameters that affect the damping properties of the TTLCD-structure system is performed to reveal how to produce optimal damping effects. Finally, a design example of the TTLCD is illustrated. A conventional TLCD is also designed based on the same controlled structure for comparison. The results reveal that the TTLCD can maintain the equivalent damping ratio of the system at a high level in arbitrary directions, while the TLCD has a high damping ratio in its main control direction but falls significantly in the direction perpendicular to its main control direction.

Automated summary

This article investigates the optimization of the toroidal tuned liquid column damper (TTLCD) for suppressing harmonic vibration. The closed-form solution for the TTLCD-structure system is derived, and based on this solution, optimization is carried out to obtain design tables with optimum parameters. The study also performs a parametric investigation of key parameters affecting the damping properties of the TTLCD-structure system, revealing how to produce optimal damping effects. Additionally, a design example of the TTLCD is illustrated and compared to a traditional TLCD.