Parametric study on multiple tuned mass dampers for buffeting control of Yangpu Bridge

A study on buffeting control of the Yangpu Bridge using a multiple tuned mass damper (MTMD) system is performed in this paper. The MTMD system consists of a set of TMDs which are attached to the center region of the bridgeʹs main span and are symmetrical about the center of the main span as well as about the central line along the bridge span. It is found that the control efficiency of the MTMD system is sensitive to its frequency characteristics, namely, the central frequency ratio and the frequency bandwidth ratio. On the other hand, the damping ratio of the TMDs has less significant effects on the control efficiency. A total of seven MTMD systems with different mass ratios are designed. Each one of these seven MTMD systems can be used for the buffeting control of the Yangpu Bridge, depending on the required control efficiency and the available budget.