Seismic vulnerability mitigation of base isolated structures equipped using a novel tuned mass dampers with H2 optimization

Abstract

This study presents an analysis of a Novel Tuned Mass Damper Inerter (NTMDI) aimed at mitigating structural responses under seismic excitation. Initially, a Single-Degree-of-Freedom (SDOF) structural model was analysed under Gaussian white noise excitation to determine optimal NTMDI parameters. These parameters were then applied to a base-isolated structure under real seismic data (El Centro ground motion) to evaluate performance in practical scenarios. The H₂ optimization technique was employed to simplify the process of determining reduced responses, and a combination of numerical search and curve fitting was used to derive closed-form expressions for optimal parameters. Results indicate that the NTMDI significantly reduces base accelerations by up to 60% in the isolated structure, highlighting its potential as an effective vibration control solution. The study further demonstrates that the inerter mass ratio directly influences both frequency and damping ratios, offering enhanced flexibility in structural tuning. The use of NTMDI for seismic applications shows considerable promise, providing engineers with a practical tool to achieve high levels of response reduction.