Full resources utilization seismic design of irregular structures using multiple tuned mass dampers.

This paper presents a methodology for the design of peripheral multiple tuned mass dampers (MTMD) in 3D irregular buildings. A Performance-Based Design (PBD) control strategy is proposed to reduce structural response to a desired acceptable level. Therefore, a limit is assigned to the accelerations experienced at the floors' edges for a specific seismic hazard. In parallel, an attempt is made to keep the total mass of the added TMDs to its lowest possible level. The formulation of the design methodology relies on full utilization of control resources as presented herein; hence, a two stage iterative analysis/redesign procedure that is based on analysis tools is developed. The solution is compared to a formal gradient-based optimization solution, showing that the solution obtained by the analysis/redesign process is close to optimal, while it is much more computationally efficient than formal optimization and requires no gradient computation. The methodology applies to all types of structural irregularities, which allows its application in a practical design process of any structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]