A new reliability based optimization of tuned mass damper parameters using energy approach

In this work a reliability based optimization (RBO) strategy of Tuned Mass Damper (TMD) parameters is presented. The strategy is based on an energetic approach. The strategy consists to optimize the TMD parameters so that we minimize the failure probability (objective function) characterized by the exceedence of the power dissipated in the primary structure of a certain threshold value during some interval time. The evaluation of the objective function is carried out using the classical Rice’s formula. The strategy is, firstly, applied to linear single-degree of freedom (SDOF) system, subjected to seismic motion, and then extended to linear multi-degree of freedom (MDOF) system. The use of the Rice’s formula requires the knowledge of the joint probability density function (PDF) of the considered processes; to this end, exact expression of the joint PDF is presented for the SDOF system and an approximation is presented for the evaluation of the failure probabilities for the MDOF system. By making use of th...