How does an active Mass Damper work and why is it game changing?

12 Feb 2025 | Anti-seismic Culture, Technologies and Techniques

Active Mass Damper: how does it work and why is it revolutionary?

S tructural vibrations: a wide spread problem

All structures, from strategic buildings such as public works to residential buildings, are subject to vibrations of varying nature and magnitude. Earthquake is the first phenomenon that comes to mind, but it is not the only factor that induces dangerous oscillations. Wind, heavy traffic and vibrations induced by subway lines are other common causes of structural disturbances.

The reasons for reducing these oscillations are manifold and range from improving living comfort to protecting vital installations, safeguarding structural elements and preventing earthquakes.

Active Mass Damper: a protection technology for buildings

An Active Mass Damper (AMD) is an active vibration damper designed to reduce or eliminate the oscillations to which structures are subject.

How does it work?

It is an oscillating mass, capable of moving in one or more directions, driven by a mechanical actuator which generates high forces. Installed on a structure, the AMD counters its vibrations thanks to a control system based on real-time data provided by accelerometric sensors. This mechanism allows an optimal reduction of oscillations according to the design parameters.

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To better understand how AMD works, it is useful to compare it with its “passive version”: the Tuned Mass Damper (TMD).

Tuned Mass Damper (TMD) vs. Active Mass Damper (AMD)

TheTuned Mass Damper (TMD) is an oscillating mass which, through a spring-damper system, absorbs the energy of movement of the structure at its resonance frequency. However, the TMD has some limitations:

  • It has to be specifically designed for each structure

  • If the frequency of the structure changes over time, the effectiveness of the TMD is drastically reduced.

  • The large masses required for its operation can be an engineering challenge.

TheActive Mass Damper (AMD) overcomes these limitations due to its ability to dynamically adapt to changes in the structure and generates forces regardless of the installed mass. This makes it a more flexible, powerful solution suitable for a wide range of buildings and infrastructures.

The advantaged of an Active Mass Damper

  • Flexibility: the Active Mass Damper is a modular system, easily adaptable to the characteristics of the structure.

  • Adaptability : it continues to function effectively even if the frequency of the structure changes.

  • Power: the forces generated depend on the actuator and not on the installed mass.

  • Compactness and simplicity of installation: thanks to advanced solutions such as the Electro-Pro20xofISAAC antisismica.

Electro-Pro20x, developed in ISAAC laboratories,is designed for simple and straightforward installation. With a fixed mass of 100-200 kg and an adjustable mobile mass between 250 and 1000 kg, it is capable of generating horizontal forces greater than 20 kN (equivalent to 2 tonnes of thrust).

This innovative technology has finally made active damping solutions commercially available, previously considered only in the theoretical field because of costs and technical complexity.

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