Tuned mass dampers in Taipei 101

  • Context: High School 
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the function and mechanics of tuned mass dampers used in Taipei 101, particularly in the context of their role in mitigating the effects of earthquakes. Participants explore the internal and external forces involved in the system and the implications for the center of mass during oscillations.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions how the movement of the damper, described as an internal force, can affect the external forces from earthquake waves.
  • Another participant suggests that the heavy mass at the top of the building helps reduce swaying during base shaking, though they express uncertainty about the tuning aspect and its natural resonances.
  • Some participants argue that the movement of the damper does indeed affect the center of mass of the system, but they emphasize that the primary purpose is to dampen oscillations through counter-phase movement.
  • There is a contention regarding whether the center of mass of the damper and the building changes when the damper moves, with differing views on the implications of internal forces within the system.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the mechanics of the tuned mass damper and its effects on the center of mass, indicating that the discussion remains unresolved with multiple competing perspectives.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved assumptions regarding the definitions of internal and external forces, as well as the specific mechanics of how the damper interacts with the building during oscillations.

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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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.
 
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.
 
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
 
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.
 

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