Design and performance evaluation of inerter-based tuned mass dampers for a ground acceleration excited structure

This paper investigates the design and performance of three configurations of inerter–based tuned mass dampers (TMDs) for the control of undamped single-degree-of-freedom structures subjected to ground acceleration. Inerter-based TMDs utilize the mass effects provided by an inerter in combination with spring and damping elements in otherwise conventional TMDs. The three configurations of inerter-based TMDs investigated have been developed by replacing the dashpot in traditional TMDs with different configurations connecting together a spring, a damper and an inerter. H2 and H-infinity optimum design values are presented through an exact optimization and a numerical optimization, respectively. Each device is also optimally designed considering 44 individual earthquake records. Utilizing individual, average, H2, and H-infinity designs, the performance evaluation of the devices is presented. Similar performance for the three inerter-based TMDs is observed. Compared to the TMD, the inerter-based TMDs can provide a 7% reduction in RMS response to a white noise ground motion, a 25% reduction in the maximum dynamic magnification factor, and an average 7% reduction in the RMS of the primary structure's displacement subjected to earthquake records.