TASK

Variables

One of the worlds tallest mega structures, Taipei 101,

holds the worlds largest passive tuned mass wind
damper weights 660 metric tons with a diameter of
5.5 meters, suspended from Level 92 to Level 87. It
helps to ensure stability of the tower and comfort for
the occupiers. This tower was successfully constructed
by the developers by manipulating the centre of
gravity and the force generated by a mass towards
gravity. Based on this information, built a mini model
to test and reveal the function(s) of such wind damper.

Safety
Precautions

WTC- Center Of Gravity (Mass & Height Of

TMD)
WTO The Stability Of The Structure
WKTS Height Of Structure, Amount Of
Force (Vibration)
Handle the electric fan and Plumb Bob
with carefully.

Method/
Procedures

1.
2.

INTRODUCTION
Most of the construction projects nowadays have
many constraints regarding very different aspects.
Economical restrictions as well as architectural
preferences do not always satisfy engineering
requirements even for structures like bridges and
high-rise buildings. Sometimes it becomes also
necessary to find compromises regarding the
serviceability and even the structural integrity of a
structure. High and slender structures as well as the
need for light weigh materials increase the danger of
unintended disturbing and even dangerous vibration.
Hence, the check of dynamic performance should
always be taken into consideration when wind,
pedestrians, traffic, machinery or earthquakes have to
be considered.

Observation
and Result

Numbe
r of
test
1

PROJECT OVERVIEW

2
3

CENTER OF GRAVITY
The point around which an objects mass is
equally balanced in all directions; the point where
the mass seems to be concentrated.

TUNED MASS WIND DAMPER

Also known as Harmonic Absorber, is a device
mounted in structures to reduce the amplitude of
mechanical vibrations. Their application can
prevent discomfort, damage or outright structural
failure.

STABILITY
The ability of a structure to remain in or return to
a stable, balanced position when forces act on it.

EXPERIMENT 1 IDEAL TOWER

TRIAL 3
Aim
Hypothesis

To study the relationship between the

center gravity (mass and height of TMD)
and the stability of the structure.
The lower the Center Of Gravity, the
higher the stability of the structure. The
stability of the structure is inversely
proportional to its Center Of Gravity.
If the mass of TMD increases, the Center
of Gravity will decrease.
If the height of TMD decreases, the Center

Prepare 60 polystyrene cups.

Cut the bottom of the cups by 2cm
long.
3.
Arrange the cups vertically.
4.
Next, prepare a plumb bob. (This
will be used as a tuned mass
damper.)
5.
Now start to find the center of
gravity by manipulating the mass
and height of TMD.
6.
Firstly, test the structure with fan
and observe the stability of the
structure.
7.
Secondly, put the TMD at highest
position which is 60th cup and test it
with fan observe the stability of the
structure.
8.
Next, repeat the step 6 with
different height and record the data.
9.
The similar test will be conducted
by manipulating the mass of TMD.
(3 different size of plumb bob)
10. Observe and record the data.
11. Discuss and draw a conclusion.
Result: Stability based on the different
height of
TMD

4
5

Discussion

Center of gravity
Height
Mass of
of TMD
TMD
Without
TMD
200
th
60
gram
200
th
30
gram
200
th
10
gram
200
first
gram

EXPERIMENT 2 IDEAL TOWER WITH TMD

TRIAL 2
Aim
Hypothesis
Materials
Variables

Safety
Precautions
Method/
Procedures

Observation
and Result

Discussion

Result
Stability
5 seconds
10
seconds
7 seconds
32
seconds
40
seconds

Result: stability based on the different

mass of TMD
Numb
Center of
er of
Result
gravity
test
Mass
Heig
of
ht of
TMD
TMD
Witho
5
1
ut
seconds
TMD
100
First
6
2
gram
cup
seconds
150
First
8
3
gram
cup
seconds
200
First
16
4
gram
cup
seconds
Firstly without any TMD, the structure fell
in seconds. When we put TMD on 60th
cup the structure fell in 10 seconds. In
30th cup, the structure was fallen in 7
seconds. When we put the TMD at first
cup it was fell at 40 seconds. Similar
experiment was conducted with TMD with
different masses. All the TMD was put at
first cup. The big TMD 200g was stable
until 16 seconds. However, the structure
was not stable more than 1 minute in
each test.

Conclusion

To examined the effect of mass damper

on the forced response of a structural
building model.
Mass damper create great Center of
Gravity and give stability of the structure.
Multi- purpose Rack, Polystyrene Cup,
string, Plumb Bob.
WTC- Tuned Mass Damper
WTO Stability Of The Structure
WKTS Height Of Structure, Amount Of
Force (Vibration)
Handle the Plumb Bob with carefully.
First, construct a structure with multipurpose rack.
Next, prepare a plumb Bob.
(This will be used as a tuned mass
damper.)
Hang a Polystyrene Cup using string in the
middle of the structure.
Now shake the structure firmly.
Observe what is happen.
Then, put the ball inside the Polystyrene
Cup and shake the structure.
Again observe and record the data.
Discuss and draw a conclusion.
Result: Stability of the structure.
Presence of TMD
Without TMD
Stability
Shaking
When a force applied the structure
without TMD was shaked heavily. But after
we put the TMD, the structure was not
shaking heavily and it was more stable.
Success / Failure
As a conclusion, mass damper created
great center of gravity and give stability
to the structure.

REAL LIFE APPLICATION OF CENTER OF GRAVITY

1)

2)

3)

An acrobat walking on a tightrope applies a similar

principle. The acrobat carries a downward curving pole
that is heavy at both ends. The pole helps to lower the
centre of gravity, and that means greater stability.
This is also important when engineering cars. The center
of gravity height, relative to the road, determines load
transfer from side to side as the car goes around a corner
and causes body lean. Height of the center of gravity
relative to the wheelbase determines load transfer
between front and rear when the car accelerates or
decelerates.
Center of Gravity of People
When you stand erect with your arms hanging at your
sides, your center of gravity is within your body. For
males, the center of gravity is typically 2 to 3 cm below
their navel, midway between their front and back. For
females, the center of gravity is typically slightly lower
because women tend to be proportionally larger in the
pelvis and smaller in the shoulders. In children, the center
of gravity is higher because of their proportionally larger
heads and shorter legs.

REAL LIFE APPLICATION OF TUNED MASS

DAMPER
A Tuned Mass Damper (TMD) is a device designed to add
damping to a structure for a specific frequency. The extra
damping will reduce the movement of the structure to an
acceptable level.
A tuned mass damper contains a mass that is able to
oscillate in horizontal or vertical direction. The oscillation
frequency of the mass can be tuned using springs, suspension
bars or ball transfers. When the structure starts to oscillate the
mass of the TMD will oscillate in opposite direction, a frictional
or hydraulic component connected between the structure and
mass turns the kinetic energy into thermal energy. The design
of an TMD depends on the oscillation frequency and mass of
the structure, direction of the movements (horizontal or
vertical) and available space.
1)

Production Cars
Tuned mass dampers are widely used in production cars,
typically on the crankshaft pulley to control torsional
vibration and bending modes of the crankshaft, on the
driveline for gearwhine, and other noises. They are also
used on the exhaust, on the body and on the suspension.
Almost all cars will have one mass damper; some may
have 10 or more.

2)

Mass dampers in spacecraft

One proposal to reduce vibration on NASA's Ares solid
fuel booster is to use 16 tuned mass dampers as part of a
design strategy to reduce peak loads from 6g to 0.25 g,
the TMDs being responsible for the reduction from 1 g to
0.25 g, the rest being done by conventional vibration
isolators between the upper stages and the booster.

3)

Dampers in power transmission lines

High-tension lines often have small barbell-shaped
Stockbridge dampers hanging from the wires to reduce
the high-frequency, low-amplitude oscillation termed
flutter.

4)

Dampers in buildings and related structures

Typically, the dampers are huge concrete blocks or steel
bodies mounted in skyscrapers or other structures, and
moved in opposition to the resonance frequency
oscillations of the structure by means of springs, fluid or

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We would like to express our

gratitude and appreciation to
everyone
who has made the Science Fair
a very successful
event of the year.

AUTOGRAPH