Reduction of Pounding Between Adjacent Structures with NTMDI: Energy-oriented Approach

This study examines the seismic performance of 10- and 15-story shear structures equipped with Non-Linear Tuned Mass Damper Inerter (NTMDI) systems. It addresses a gap in existing research, as the effectiveness of NTMDI in reducing pounding forces between adjacent structures has not been previously explored. Utilizing OpenSees, a sophisticated finite element software, the nonlinear behavior of the buildings under seismic loading was simulated through nonlinear dynamic analyses of ten carefully selected earthquake records. The Seagull Optimization Algorithm was employed to optimize the critical parameters of the NTMDI system, aiming to minimize maximum pounding forces during seismic events. This process fine-tuned the system’s nonlinear stiffness and inerter mechanism for optimal performance. The study takes a comprehensive, energy-based approach, focusing on pounding forces, energy dissipation, kinetic energy management, and displacement reduction. Results revealed that the NTMDI system significantly reduces pounding forces, achieving an average reduction of 57% across the earthquake records. Beyond that, it notably enhances energy dissipation, manages kinetic energy fluctuations, and decreases story-level displacements, particularly in upper stories—addressing vulnerabilities in tall buildings during earthquakes. The reduction in kinetic energy peaks during intense ground motions further confirms the system's effectiveness. Overall, the findings suggest that the NTMDI system is a promising solution for improving the seismic performance of multi-story buildings in earthquake-prone areas.