Optimal damping ratio of TLCDs

The study of the optimal damping ratio of a tuned liquid-column damper (or TLCD) attached to a single-degree-of-freedom system is presented. The tuned liquid-column damper is composed of two vertical columns connected by a horizontal section in the bottom and partially filled with water. The ratio of the length of the horizontal section to the effective wetted length of a TLCD considered as another important parameter is also presented for investigation. A simple pendulum-like model test is conducted to simulate a long-period motion in order to prove the effectiveness of TLCD for vibrational control. Comparisons of the experimental and analytic results of the TLCD, TLD (tuned-liquid damper), and TMD (tuned-mass damper) are included for discussion.<br />