Time-cost ‘‘trade-off’’ analysis for wind-induced inhabitability of tall buildings equipped with tuned mass dampers

Abstract One of the major concerns for tall buildings is the extreme accelerations induced by wind loads and perceived by their occupants. Normally, tuned-mass dampers (TMD) are installed on tall buildings to suppress vibration. However, an established procedure to evaluate the impact of the TMD system from the standpoint of financial profit/deficit is not readily available. This study proposes a framework that integrates local wind climate, wind-induced vibration and TMD performance analysis in terms of monetary outcomes. The proposed framework is composed of three parts: 1) evaluation of wind speed probability distribution at the building site; 2) calculation of wind-induced structural acceleration and its mitigation by TMD with variable mass ratio; 3) lifetime ‘‘net profit’’ assessment, based on the annual normalized inhabitable floor area. A feasibility study suggests that, for super-tall buildings, the TMD is financially effective in reducing wind-induced vibration and inhabitable floor area. Furthermore, large TMD is unnecessary and can lead to a financial deficit. Finally, a simulated mid-rise building does not require a TMD since the financial benefit is marginal.