A multi-degree of freedom tuned mass damper design for vibration mitigation of a suspension bridge

This paper proposes a synthetic approach to design and implement a two-degree of freedom tuned mass damper (2DOFs TMD), aimed at damping bending and torsional modes of bridge decks (it can also be applied to other types of bridges like cable-stayed bridges to realize the energy dissipation). For verifying the effectiveness of the concept model, we cast the parameter optimization of the 2DOFs TMDs conceptual model as a control problem with decentralized static output feedback for minimizing the response of the bridge deck. For designing the expected modes of the 2DOFs TMDs, the graphical approach was introduced to arrange flexible beams properly according to the exact constraints. Based on the optimized frequency ratios, the dimensions of 2DOF TMDs are determined by the compliance matrix method. Finally, the mitigation effect was illustrated and verified by an experimental test on the suspension bridge mock-up. The results showed that the 2DOFs TMD is an effective structural response mitigation device used to mitigate the response of suspension bridges. It was also observed that based on the proposed synthetic approach, 2DOFs TMD parameters can be effectively designed to realize the target modes control.