Journal Article

Resilience-Based Seismic Optimization of Buildings Using Tuned Mass Dampers

Wang, Lixin, Lin, Jianfu, Lin, Sijian, Jafari-Asl, Jafar, Zhang, Jiaxin, Zhou, Zihan, Dong, You

2026

Overview

A multi-objective tuning framework for optimizing Tuned Mass Damper (TMD) systems is presented. This framework optimizes the controlling parameters of TMDs while considering building resilience. The employed optimizer is the multi-objective HBA. Since TMDs are used in tall structures to mitigate seismic-induced structural responses, the proposed framework must be applicable to real-world scenarios; therefore, it determines both the placement and parameters of TMDs by accounting for the effects of various soil types and multiple earthquake records. Based on the obtained results, the optimal TMDs achieved an average roof-displacement reduction of 17% in soft soil, 7% in fixed-base conditions, and only 4% in dense soil, highlighting the decisive influence of soil–structure interaction on system efficiency. Moreover, there was considerable outcome variability across different earthquake records—ranging from 0.8% to 26% reduction—along with the observed negative effect (response amplification of up to 13.9% in certain fixed-base cases), which occurs when the TMD becomes detuned relative to the dominant frequency of the specific ground motion. This confirms the necessity for a robust design approach that simultaneously considers an ensemble of ground motions rather than optimizing for a single record.

• Publisher: MDPI AG
• Subject: Algorithms / Design / Ductility / Earthquake dampers / Earthquakes / Efficiency / Ground motion / Multiple objective analysis / Optimization / Optimization techniques / Parameters / passive structural control / Performance evaluation / Resilience / resilience-based design / Robust design / Seismic activity / Seismic engineering / Seismic response / Soil types / Soil-structure interaction / Structural response / Tall structures / tuned mass dampers / Vibration isolators