Damping for Tall Timber Buildings

Purpose and goal:

The idea of the project was to stabilize tall buildings with a timber frame, against wind-induced sway, using additional damping instead of adding extra masses at the top of the building. During the project, it has been shown, computationally, that it is possible to reduce the building’s mass if extra damping is added. The project has also compiled a state-of-the-art review of various damping systems.

However, for full utilization in buildings, an adaptation of the systems and tests in demonstrator scale are required. Expected results and effects:

The project has developed a calculation model for a 20-story building with a timber frame. In the model, it is the possible to insert different types of additive damping at different locations in the building. The model has been used in an initial study to investigate the effect of different additive damping.

The project has also carried out a measurement of dynamic properties of a tall wooden building (20 stories) which shows that the calculation models used today are conservative and could be optimized. Approach and implementation:

The project was carried out as a preliminary study where the effect of utilizing additive damping was investigated with the support of an FE model of a 20-story building. This, together with a state-of-the-art review around additive damping, shows great opportunities to use this technique to optimize the construction of tall light buildings. However, to be able to utilize the technique, further development is required with adaptation of systems and testing of these on a demo scale.