A hybrid approach for parameter optimization of multiple tuned mass dampers in reducing floor vibrations due to occupant walking : theory and parametric studies

This article presents a hybrid approach for determining optimal parameters of multiple tuned mass dampers to reduce the floor vibration due to human walking. The proposed approach consists of two parts. The first one is a partial mode decomposition algorithm to efficiently calculate dynamic responses of the coupled floor–multiple tuned mass damper system subjected to moving walking loads. The second one is an adaptive genetic simulated annealing method for the optimization of multiple tuned mass damper parameters. To establish optimization, certain variables must be considered. These include the mass, natural frequency, and damping ratio of each tuned mass damper in a multiple tuned mass damper system. The objective is to minimize floor responses and remove unreasonable requirements, such as uniform mass distribution and symmetric distribution of the tuned mass damper frequency. The proposed hybrid approach has successfully been applied to optimize the multiple tuned mass damper system to reduce the vibration of a longspan floor with closely spaced modes. By the hybrid approach, an extensive parametric study has been carried out. The results show that different walking load models and uncertainties in the dynamic properties of the floor and each tuned mass damper itself can affect the overall performance of the multiple tuned mass damper system. The proposed hybrid optimization approach is very effective and the resulting multiple tuned mass damper system is robust in reducing floor vibrations under various conditions.