Optimization of TMDs for floor vibration control in metro-adjacent buildings considering frequency weighting

Tuned mass dampers (TMDs) are used to control metro-induced floor vibration, but their parameters are commonly selected from acceleration-based criteria. This may be unsuitable when the serviceability target is the frequency-weighted vibration level perceived by occupants. This study investigates TMD optimization for a metro-adjacent floor using field measurements, analytical modeling, and calibrated FE simulations. In field testing, the installed TMD changed the floor–device frequency, and in-situ retuning reduced the average VL _max by 3.3 dB. The calibrated model was then used to compare parameters from fixed-point theory with VL _max -oriented designs. Fixed-point theory remained useful for reducing unweighted acceleration peaks, but it did not always give the best VL _max reduction because TMD tuning redistributed vibration energy among weighted frequency bands. For the tested floor, μ = 0.03, γ = 0.90, and ξd = 0.03–0.10 gave a maximum mean VL _max reduction of 5.8 dB. Sensitivity analyses showed that tuning frequency and slab stiffness were more influential than TMD damping. MTMDs improved robustness by broadening the effective control bandwidth.