Optimal design of short-period structures equipped with sliding tuned liquid column damper and numerical and experimental control performance evaluation

In this paper, the structural vibration control of short-period systems by a sliding model of a tuned liquid column damper (herein referred to as STLCD) is investigated from both theoretical and experimental points of view. The proposed STLCD is essentially composed of a U-tube container with liquid inside, which can slide on a linear guide rail and is connected to the structure by a spring-dashpot system. Unlike traditional fixed TLCDs, this type of arrangement allows the proposed STLCD to be tuned to short-period structural systems since the spring can be used for tuning while the dashpot provides additional damping. Details on the selection of the optimal design parameters of the STLCD are provided, and the validity of the introduced mathematical model is verified both in time and frequency domains through experimental tests conducted at the Laboratory of Experimental Dynamics at the University of Palermo, Italy. For the experimental tests, a scale model of an STLCD-controlled structure is considered, focusing on the reduction of the roof accelerations. Finally, for comparison purposes, the control performance of the proposed control strategy for the vibration suppression of stiff structures is evaluated by analyzing its structural responses in contrast with the corresponding uncontrolled structure under harmonic excitations.