Tuned mass dampers in Taipei 101

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In summary, the conversation discusses the use of tuned mass dampers in Taipei 101 to reduce the impact of earthquakes. The purpose of the dampers is to shift in the opposite direction of the building's movement to counteract the effects of the earthquake. The question is raised about whether the movement of the damper, which is an internal force, can actually change the effects of the earthquake, an external force. The purpose of the damper is not to shift the centre of mass, but rather to delay and counteract the oscillation of the building. Moving only the damper will also cause a change in the centre of mass, but this is not the intended purpose of the system.
  • #1
anonymous24
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Hello,
When I was in lesson today, our physics teacher mentioned a device called tuned mass dampers in Taipei 101 to reduced the effect of earthquakes. What he said is that when the building shifts to the right, and there will be a mechanism for the big ball (the damper) to shift to the left to counteract, and vice versa. The question I have is that wouldn't the shift of the damper be an internal force, so how does that changed anything resulted by the earthquakes waves, an external force. I mean the movement of the damper should not shift the centre of mass if the whole thing. Thanks in advance.
 
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  • #2
A heavy mass up near the top so that when the base is shaken the building doesn't sway as much as it otherwise would. I don't know specifically about tuning, just that you would need to be mindful of its natural resonances.
 
  • #3
anonymous24 said:
I mean the movement of the damper should not shift the centre of mass if the whole thing.
Of course it does, but that isn't the point. Rather the delay and thus movement in counter phase to dampen the oscillation.
 
  • #4
A.T. said:
Of course it does, but that isn't the point. Rather the delay and thus movement in counter phase to dampen the oscillation.
why would the centre of mass of the damper+the building change if we just move the damper, aren't they the internal force of the same system
 
  • #5
anonymous24 said:
why would the centre of mass of the damper+the building change if we just move the damper
If only the damper moves, then the centre of mass of damper+building also moves. But that isn't even what is happening or the point of the system.
 

FAQ: Tuned mass dampers in Taipei 101

1. What is a tuned mass damper?

A tuned mass damper is a device used in the construction of tall buildings to reduce the effects of wind and seismic forces. It is essentially a large pendulum that is attached to the building's structure and is designed to counteract the building's movement caused by external forces.

2. How does the tuned mass damper work in Taipei 101?

The tuned mass damper in Taipei 101 is located on the 87th floor and consists of a 660-ton steel pendulum that can move up to 5 feet in any direction. When the building sways due to wind or earthquakes, the pendulum moves in the opposite direction, providing a counterforce and reducing the building's movement.

3. Why was a tuned mass damper necessary for Taipei 101?

Taipei 101 is located in an area prone to typhoons and earthquakes, and its height of 1,671 feet makes it vulnerable to strong winds. Therefore, a tuned mass damper was necessary to ensure the building's stability and safety, as well as to provide a comfortable experience for its occupants.

4. How effective is the tuned mass damper in Taipei 101?

The tuned mass damper in Taipei 101 has been proven to be highly effective in reducing the building's sway caused by external forces. It has been tested and designed to withstand typhoons with winds up to 134 mph and earthquakes up to a magnitude of 7.3. It has been so successful that it has become a symbol of the building and is often referred to as the "world's largest tuned mass damper."

5. Are there any other buildings with tuned mass dampers?

Yes, there are numerous other buildings around the world that have implemented tuned mass dampers, including the Petronas Twin Towers in Malaysia, the Shanghai World Financial Center in China, and the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. These devices have become a common feature in the construction of tall buildings to ensure their stability and safety.

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