Study on the use of passive control systems in the dynamic response of coupled buildings

Resumo

Based on the increasing knowledge in the field of engineering and construction, driven by the rapid
expansion of urban centers, building designs have prioritized optimizing physical spaces and maximizing housing
potential. This approach has led to structures being built closer together and becoming slenderer, which has raised
concerns about excessive oscillations and the risk of pounding between adjacent structures. To address these
challenges, the technique of structural coupling has emerged as a promising solution. This technique involves
using connecting elements, often achieved through vibration control devices, to link the adjacent structures.
However, despite the positive results observed with this approach, further studies are still required to enhance its
effectiveness. In this context, the present study explores the utilization of passive control devices for coupling,
which can dissipate the energy of the main system and/or transfer it to secondary auxiliary systems. The study
proposes a numerical approach in a multiple degrees of freedom (MDOF) system, incorporating passive dampers,
to simulate and analyze the behavior of a reduced-scale model consisting of two coupled buildings. The results are
presented, demonstrating the influence of control parameters on the proposed structural system in effectively
controlling the dynamic responses of the buildings.