Abstract:
This paper examines the response reduction capabilities of a passive fluid damper device, known as
the Liquid Column Vibration Absorber (LCVA), when attached to a five storey benchmark building
structure requiring control. The five storey benchmark building is an experimental model that can be
excited at its base level to simulate ground motion. In previous studies the LCVA has been shown to
be effective for wind vibration control. In this study the probable structural response reductions that
can be achieved due to four benchmark earthquakes is examined. A further investigation is made to
the use of multiple LCVA's (MLCVA) for earthquake response suppression. The issue of robustness
is also addressed by comparing the response reduction capabilities of the LCVA and MLCVA
configuration under earthquake loading. The robustness becomes a primary issue when the LCVA
may become largely mistuned in the event of loss of structural stiffness during an earthquake.
