We have been engineering mass and stiffness in tall buildings, but not damping.

Lo smorzatore a massa accordata del grattacielo Taipei 101

When it comes to skyscrapers, wind can have an intense effect on the top levels of a super tall, slender building. Strong winds can cause the building to sway, increasing the discomfort of tenants who live on the higher floors. Mitigating the wind-induced motion of a super tall building is crucial, as it can increase occupant comfort as a result and improve overall building performance. Building project teams use a device called a tuned mass damper (TMD) to reduce motion. Ho

Tuned mass dampers experience friction in the real world and must overcome this friction to perform properly.

Bridges – from long span bridges to cable-stayed bridges to suspension bridges – carry vehicles as well as pedestrians from one point to another. They’re designed not only for aesthetic beauty, but for structural stability as well. However, similar to high-rise or super tall buildings, bridges can be susceptible to strong winds. In addition, pedestrian and vehicle traffic can result in bridge motion and vibration. As such, bridges often require damping systems to help reduce

Dynamic forces on buildings cause movement and cyclic loads. Is damping the secret to more resilient structures? Engineers explore the basic theories of dampers, damping and motion control. What causes structures like buildings and bridges to move? Structures move under the influence of wind, pedestrian loading or seismic action. While this movement is natural and occurs in every structure, it can be a problem when the movement interferes with the activity for which the struc