Tuned mass damper does not reduce the amplitude of vibration?

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In summary, a tuned mass damper (TMD) is designed to reduce the amplitude of vibrations in structures by counteracting specific frequencies of oscillation. However, if the TMD is not correctly tuned to the frequency of the vibrations, or if it faces unexpected dynamic conditions, it may fail to effectively reduce the vibration amplitude. Additionally, factors such as damping ratios, structural stiffness, and mass distribution can influence the performance of a TMD, potentially leading to insufficient vibration mitigation.
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gunna
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Hello everyone,

I have a simple question. Lets say a single degree of freedom system (SDOF) which consists of a spring and a mass is excited by an external force. The SDOF system has the eigenfrequency of 0.31 Hz and the external force is a periodic force with the frequency of 0.6 Hz. After decay of the transient effects, the frequency response function of the SDOF system should contain peaks at the system's eigenfrequency of 0.31 Hz and the 0.6 Hz excitation, right?

Now I want to reduce the response at 0.6 Hz induced by the excitation with a tuned mass damper (TMD). The TMD also consists of a spring and a mass, and the eigenfrequency of the TMD is tuned to 0.6 Hz, as it should reduce this frequency. I built this configuration in ANSYS and calculated the SDOFs response under the influence of the TMD and the system's response at 0.6 Hz is even getting bigger.

Am I understanding something wrong? Should a TMD with the tuned eigenfrequency not reduced the system's response at THAT frequency after the decay of the transient effects?

Another thought is the excitation induces resonance in the TMD and thus causing an amplification in the SDOF's system at the excitation frequency...

Best regards
 
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  • #2
Welcome, @gunna !

Shouldn't the oscillation frequency of the TMD be tuned to be similar to the resonant frequency of the object it is mounted to (eigenfrequency of 0.31 Hz)?
 
  • #3
gunna said:
I built this configuration in ANSYS and calculated the SDOFs response under the influence of the TMD and the system's response at 0.6 Hz is even getting bigger.
You have a system with resonant frequency of 0.31 Hz that is excited at 0.6 Hz. The response will be small because the magnitude of the response is determined by the mass of the system and the magnitude of the excitation. Then you added a second system with a resonant frequency of 0.6 Hz. That system is driven at its resonant frequency by the 0.6 Hz excitation, so the amplitude is large. Your system is a simple two DOF system with two distinct natural frequencies that is excited at one of those frequencies. Your two DOF system has no relation to a TMD. TMD theory does not apply to your system.

A TMD does two things:
1) It changes a lightly damped natural frequency to two lightly damped natural frequencies, one higher and the other lower than the original natural frequency. This is useful when there is excitation only at the original natural frequency.

2) Adding a damper to the tuned mass damps vibration of the primary mass at both of the new natural frequencies. This is useful when the excitation is over a range of frequencies.
 
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  • #4
Lnewqban said:
Welcome, @gunna !

Shouldn't the oscillation frequency of the TMD be tuned to be similar to the resonant frequency of the object it is mounted to (eigenfrequency of 0.31 Hz)?
I agree, usually the TMD is tuned to the eigenfrequency of the structure. But in my case I want to mitigate the response at 0.6 Hz, and a TMD should be able to reduce any frequency as long as it is tuned to that specific frequency right?

Best regards
 
  • #5
jrmichler said:
You have a system with resonant frequency of 0.31 Hz that is excited at 0.6 Hz. The response will be small because the magnitude of the response is determined by the mass of the system and the magnitude of the excitation. Then you added a second system with a resonant frequency of 0.6 Hz. That system is driven at its resonant frequency by the 0.6 Hz excitation, so the amplitude is large. Your system is a simple two DOF system with two distinct natural frequencies that is excited at one of those frequencies. Your two DOF system has no relation to a TMD. TMD theory does not apply to your system.

A TMD does two things:
1) It changes a lightly damped natural frequency to two lightly damped natural frequencies, one higher and the other lower than the original natural frequency. This is useful when there is excitation only at the original natural frequency.

2) Adding a damper to the tuned mass damps vibration of the primary mass at both of the new natural frequencies. This is useful when the excitation is over a range of frequencies.
I can follow you by saying I just created a 2DOF system with two distinct natural frequencies that is excited at one of those frequencies. But that is what a TMD does, right? Turning a SDOF system into a 2DOF system and by doing so, reduce the SDOF system's response at it's natural frequency.
But since I am not interested at reducing the SDOF's response at it's natural frequency but rather at reducing the SDOF's response at another excitation frequency, the use of a tuned mass damper is not appropiated. Is that what both of you are trying to tell me?

Best regards
 

FAQ: Tuned mass damper does not reduce the amplitude of vibration?

1. What is a tuned mass damper and how does it work?

A tuned mass damper (TMD) is a device installed in structures to reduce the amplitude of mechanical vibrations. It consists of a mass that is mounted on a spring and damper system, tuned to a specific frequency. When the structure vibrates, the TMD moves in opposition to the motion, thereby dissipating energy and reducing the overall vibrations of the structure.

2. Why might a tuned mass damper not reduce vibration amplitude as expected?

A tuned mass damper may not effectively reduce vibration amplitude if it is not properly tuned to the frequency of the vibrations. If the natural frequency of the TMD does not match the frequency of the structure's vibrations, it will not provide the necessary counteracting forces. Additionally, insufficient damping, improper installation, or changes in the structure's dynamic characteristics can also lead to ineffective vibration reduction.

3. What are the signs that a tuned mass damper is not functioning properly?

Signs that a tuned mass damper is not functioning properly include persistent or increased vibration levels despite its installation, unusual noises coming from the damper, or visible movement of the damper that does not correlate with the structure's vibrations. Monitoring systems can also indicate if the TMD is not effectively reducing vibrations.

4. Can environmental factors affect the performance of a tuned mass damper?

Yes, environmental factors such as temperature changes, humidity, and wind loads can affect the performance of a tuned mass damper. These factors can alter the properties of the materials used in the damper or change the frequency characteristics of the structure, potentially leading to misalignment between the TMD and the vibration frequencies it is designed to counteract.

5. What steps can be taken to improve the performance of a tuned mass damper?

To improve the performance of a tuned mass damper, it is essential to ensure that it is accurately tuned to the structure's natural frequency. Regular maintenance and inspections can help identify any issues with the damper. Additionally, using advanced modeling techniques to predict the dynamic response of the structure can aid in optimizing the design and placement of the TMD for better performance.

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