Shaking table tests on semi-active tuned mass and tuned liquid dampers

One of the goals of the COVICOCEPAD project is to develop a mathematical model of tuned liquid dampers (TLD) devices. This new model will take into account the damping forces resisting the actions resulting from the viscous interactions between the liquid and its rigid container, the hydrodynamic head losses subsequent to orifices passing and the internal viscosity of the liquid. To calibrate the mathematical models full scale tests on shaking table are being performed. A performance evaluation of the TLD devices will be accomplished by the comparison between the behaviour of a specific structure with and without passive protection. This work addresses on the possibility of exploiting the liquid sloshing motion in tanks for specific vibration control purposes of civil engineering structures. Analytical, numerical and experimental issues are referred and the test steel frame is presented.