Assessment and Performance of Tuned Mass Damper Inerter DesignBased on Genetic Algorithm Approach for Nonlinear Structures Subjected to Earthquake Excitation

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of Tuned Mass Damper Inerter (TMDI) systems in reducing seismic response of nonlinear hysteretic building structures. The research investigates how traditional TMDI design methods, developed for linear systems, perform compared to approaches that consider structural nonlinearity and realistic earthquake conditions. Additionally, it examines the influence of structural nonlinearity on TMDI effectiveness and explores robust TMDI tuning strategies. Methods: The study employed a nonlinear single-degree-of-freedom system with Bouc-Wen hysteretic restoring force to model the primary structure. A genetic algorithm (GA) optimization approach was used for TMDI design, accounting for structural nonlinearity and non-deterministic seismic input. The analysis involved comparing GA-optimized TMDI performance against existing linear system designs using eight benchmark records and conducting a statistical study with one hundred design code-prescribed records. Results: GA-based TMDI design demonstrated superior performance in reducing peak displacement responses across various earthquake excitations and intensities, particularly in structures exhibiting nonlinear response. Traditional linear system-based TMDI design methods also proved effective in controlling vibrations in nonlinear structures, though to a lesser extent. Conclusion: The study confirms the possibility of robust TMDI tuning for effective seismic response reduction in nonlinear structures. While GA-optimized designs outperform traditional approaches, existing linear system-based methods remain valuable for preliminary TMDI system development. These findings advance the understanding of TMDI performance under realistic nonlinear structural behavior and seismic loading conditions.