Tuned Mass Dampers in Tall Buildings: A Practical Performance-Based Design Approach

Tuned mass dampers (TMDs) are increasingly being used to reduce the motion of tall buildings during common wind events. Despite TMDs receiving extensive theoretical research for many decades, dissemination of the practical aspects of designing and installing these devices is severely lacking. Since they are relatively new to the high-rise construction industry, TMD installations may be viewed by design and construction teams as having considerable risk. This paper describes the process of implementing a TMD in a tall building to demystify the devices for practicing structural engineers, architects, general contractors, and owners. It is hoped that this demystification will help these parties understand and control the real and perceived risks associated with TMD implementations. Since prescriptive, code-based procedures are unsuitable for TMD design, a performance-based design approach must be used to ensure the TMD attains specified performance objectives. The TMD implementation process is described in four phases: concept design, detailed design, fabrication and installation, and tuning and commissioning. This paper does not present new theoretical or experimental research but instead provides a broad, practical overview of real-world TMD installations for practitioners. The content of this paper has been obtained from the design and installation of dozens of TMDs in tall buildings around the world.