Consider tuned liquid dampers in high-rise buildings
Published:Tuesday | April 1, 2025 | 12:06 AM
THE EDITOR, Madam:
The recent earthquake in South East Asia brought devastation to the region, leaving many of us questioning why certain high-rise buildings remained intact while others, as seen in recorded video shared in the news media, such as the new building under construction we witnessed collapsing, succumbed to the seismic forces.
During the construction of The Jamaica Pegasus hotel, as a student at Excelsior High School. I asked why they were placing these large rubber pads under the building’s foundation. The gentleman explained that it was a shock absorber for buildings.
I recently drove through Half Way Tree and New Kingston and could not miss the towering presence of some of our tallest structures under construction, as I reflected on the JBC antenna being the tallest structure in Kingston back in the late sixties and said a prayer for all those working on it.
I could only wonder if substandard work could have contributed to this tragedy in South East Asia, or is there another explanation? The answer lies in an innovative engineering solution that is: the power of water.
Water, when strategically employed in high-rise buildings, can serve as a stabilising mechanism during earthquakes. Using tuned liquid dampers (TLDs), special tanks filled with water placed at the top of buildings, this method dissipates the transferred energy from seismic forces, offering a critical factor of safety.
This concept mirrors the design of liquid trailers, which incorporate internal chambers to mitigate the amplification of kinetic and potential energy during movement. Similarly, TLDs counteract the seismic forces by moving in the opposite direction of the building’s sway, effectively reducing vibrations and enhancing stability.
The principle of resonance tuning also plays a vital role. By synchronising the natural frequency of the water tanks with the building’s frequency, the system optimises the damping effect, safeguarding the structure from collapse. These features explain why other taller or comparable buildings with advanced engineering measures endured, while the unfinished building in question tragically failed.
As we reflect on this disaster, it is imperative to prioritise and invest in innovative technologies like TLDs to protect lives and infrastructure. Earthquake-resilient construction is not just a necessity, it is an urgent responsibility.
PATRICK BROWN
Pembroke Pines, Florida