In the quest to make high-rise buildings safer and more resilient against dynamic excitations like earthquakes and wind, researchers have been exploring innovative solutions. A recent study published in the journal *Advances in Civil Engineering* (translated from Persian as “Progress in Civil Engineering”) has shed light on the effectiveness of household water tanks acting as tuned liquid dampers (TLDs) in mitigating structural vibrations. The research, led by Badrinarayan Rath from the Department of Civil Engineering, offers promising insights that could shape the future of building design and construction.
High-rise and flexible structures are particularly vulnerable to dynamic excitations, making vibration control a critical design challenge. Traditional methods of vibration control can be costly and complex, but TLDs offer a passive, cost-effective solution by utilizing the sloshing of liquid to dissipate seismic energy. Rath and his team investigated the performance of three types of water tanks—rectangular shape flat-bottom with straight walls, square shape flat-bottom with straight walls, and square shape flat-bottom with sloped walls—all firmly fixed to the top of a G+7 framed structure.
Using finite element analysis through the commercial software ABAQUS, the researchers computed the structural assessment of the building frame with the attached water tanks. They studied the structural displacement under various conditions, including different water depth ratios, excitation frequency ratios, and tuning frequency ratios, and across three different viscosities of liquid. The results were compelling.
“The sloped-wall TLD operates effectively and greatly reduces the undesired motion of the structure during earthquakes,” Rath explained. Among the straight-wall TLDs, the rectangular shape performed better with partially filled liquids of different viscosities. This was attributed to the longer traveling distance of the sloshing wave in the rectangular flat-bottom water tank compared to the square flat-bottom tank under an equal plan area.
The study also derived mathematical expressions for the base shear force for both straight-wall and sloped-wall TLDs. A correlation between water depth ratio, tuning frequency ratio, viscosity of liquid, and structural displacement was established using regression analysis. The findings not only highlight the potential of TLDs in enhancing structural safety but also offer a practical and cost-effective solution for the construction industry.
For the energy sector, this research could have significant commercial impacts. High-rise buildings, which are often energy-intensive, could benefit from the enhanced structural resilience provided by TLDs. This could lead to reduced maintenance costs and increased longevity of buildings, ultimately contributing to more sustainable and efficient urban development.
As the construction industry continues to evolve, the integration of TLDs into building design could become a standard practice. Rath’s research paves the way for future developments in structural engineering, offering a glimpse into a future where buildings are not only taller and more efficient but also safer and more resilient against natural disasters. The study, published in *Advances in Civil Engineering*, marks a significant step forward in the quest for innovative and effective vibration control solutions.