Twin Rotor Damper (2010)

Videos of active flutter-control experiments in our wind tunnel. The critical wind speed of a bridge deck section model is considerably increased by means of an active mass damper. The control moment is generated by two unbalanced masses rotating at a constant speed. Since the eccentric masses are connected by a tooth belt, they are steadily in equilibrium and thus only very low motor power is needed. The ratio of the active mass to the mass of the model is 1%. Experiments with a mass ratio of 0.5% have also been successfully completed.

Publication

Scheller, J.; Starossek, U. (2008). "A new energy-efficient device for active control of bridge vibrations." Report, IABSE Congress "Creating and Renewing Urban Structures – Tall Buildings, Bridges and Infrastructure," Chicago, USA, September 17-19, 2008.

Starossek, U.; Scheller, J. (2008)."A novel active mass damper for vibration control of bridges." Proceed­ings, 4th International Conference on Bridge Maintenance, Safety, and Management (IABMAS’08), Seoul, Korea, July 13-17, 2008.

HD videos

(1920 x 1080)

Alternative video formats (704 x 396)

Description

 

Gesamtvideo

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The video presents our wind tunnel and shows important elements of the tested bridge deck section model.

Video Doppelwuchtrotor01

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The control device is deactivated. At a constant wind speed of 9.0 m/s,
the model is dynamically stable (subcritical wind speed).

Video Doppelwuchtrotor02

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The control device is deactivated. At a constant wind speed of 10.0 m/s, the model is dynamically indifferent (critical wind speed). 

 

Video Doppelwuchtrotor04

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The control device is deactivated. At a constant wind speed of 11.0 m/s, the model is dynamically instable (overcritical wind speed). 

 

Video Doppelwuchtrotor06

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The control device is deactivated. The wind speed is rapidly increased from 0 m/s. At an overcritical wind speed of 20.2 m/s, the model exhibits torsional divergence (statically instable model). This is the maximum wind speed at which the model can be stabilized by any control device.

 

Video Dopperwuchtrotor07

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The control device is activated (control mode with continuously rotating masses). The model is excited and the control automatically initiates. Then, the wind speed is rapidly increased from 0 m/s up to 19.2 m/s and, subsequently, it is slowly further increased until torsional divergence appears. The model remains dynamically stable at all wind velocities.

 

Video Doppelwuchtrotor09

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The control device is activated (control switches automatically on and off). At a wind speed of 15.0 m/s, the model is excited and the control automatically initiates. After few seconds, the wind speed is increased until torsional divergence appears. The model remains dynamically stable at all wind velocities.

 

Video Doppelwuchtrotor11

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The control device is deactivated. The wind speed is rapidly increased from 0 m/s up to 15.0 m/s and remains constant. After a while, the model begins self-excitedly to vibrate with increasing vibration amplitudes. The model is dynamically instable.

 

Video Doppelwuchtrotor15L

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The control device is activated. The wind speed is rapidly increased from 0 m/s up to 15.0 m/s and remains constant. After a while the model begins self-excitedly to vibrate. The control device limits the amplitudes of the vibration. The model is dynamically stable.

 

Video Doppelwuchtrotor slow motion 16

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Slow-motion video of initiated control.