The dynamic characteristics and effectiveness of multiple mass dampers
(MMDs), a collection of several mass dampers with distributed natural
frequencies, under random loading are investigated in this paper. The
MMD attached in a parallel configuration modifies the transfer functi
on of the damper-building system by flattening the peaks observed in a
typical single tuned mass damper-building transfer function. The MMD
parameters considered here include the frequency range of MMDs, dampin
g ratio of individual dampers, and the number of dampers. Uniform and
variable frequency increments in a specified frequency range and mass
variation alone, and in combination, are considered. The secondary ine
rtial effect can be represented by conventional mass dampers or liquid
sloshing or oscillating liquid column dampers. A parameter study is c
onducted to delineate the influence of several parameters on the effec
tiveness and robustness of MMDs in comparison with a single tuned mass
damper (TMD). The random loads considered here include wind and seism
ic excitations. It is demonstrated that the MMD configuration is more
effective in controlling the motion of the primary system. It offers t
he advantages of portability and ease of installation (because of the
reduced size of an individual damper), which makes it attractive not o
nly for new installation, but also for temporary use during constructi
on or for retrofitting existing structures.