Construction:
- Tall buildings: StruFlex bearings dampers reduce the amplitude of wind-induced vibrations and potentially convert the dissipated energy into electric power.
Example: StruFlex bearing dampers support the core of a 26-storey building – VS – the
same building without dampers (fixed)
- The bearing dampers comprise an internal bearing stub which ensures vertical load transfer in case of failure
- For the damper benefit to be maximized, the dampers should be set to reduce the lateral stiffness of the building by ~10%
- With the above damper setting the corresponding natural period of the first mode will be increased by ~5%
- The amplitude of the applied wind harmonic force is based on real recorded data and analysis of similar buildings for wind speed ~15m/s
- The amplitude of the applied wind harmonic force is the same for both buildings
- To get the most onerous response of each building (for comparison) the frequency of the applied wind harmonic force on each building matches the natural frequency of the corresponding building
- Comparison of wind-induced steady state responses is shown in the graph below
- The bearing dampers can be semi-active or active so to maximize energy dissipation
- Seismic areas: StruFlex bearing dampers reduce the amplitude of seismic-induced vibrations
- Isolation of high frequency-induced vibrations e.g. buildings over railway tracks: StruFlex bearing springs isolate high frequency-induced vibrations
- Bridges e.g. railway/road bridges: StruFlex bearing dampers reduce the amplitude of vehicular-induced vibrations and potentially convert the dissipated energy into electric power
- Special structures e.g. tall structures, structures with unusual geometry, buildings on very soft soil, excavations under existing buildings: StruFlex bearings provide setting adjustment, spring supports/joints, and post-stressing
Renewables:
- Wind turbines: StruFlex bearing dampers reduce the amplitude of wind-induced vibrations and potentially convert the dissipated energy into electric power
Example: StruFlex bearing dampers support the tower of a 2MW wind turbine – VS – the
same wind turbine without dampers (fixed)
- The bearing dampers comprise an internal bearing stub which ensures vertical load transfer in case of failure
- For the damper benefit to be maximized, the dampers should be set to reduce the lateral stiffness of the wind turbine by ~13%
- With the above damper setting the corresponding natural period of the first mode will be increased by ~7%
- The amplitude of the applied wind harmonic force is based on real recorded data and analysis of similar wind turbines for wind speed ~10m/s
- The amplitude of the applied wind harmonic force is the same for both wind turbines
- To get the most onerous response of each wind turbine (for comparison) the frequency of the applied wind harmonic force on each wind turbine matches the natural frequency of the corresponding wind turbine
- Comparison of wind-induced steady state responses is shown in the graph below
- The bearing dampers can be semi-active or active so to maximize energy dissipation
Shipping:
- Marine vessels and ships, and marine structures (patent pending application): StruFlex bearing dampers (or other dampers) enable oscillation amplitude reduction and conversion of wave energy into electric power. In marine vessels and ships this function can work alongside wind assisted propulsion systems to further increase the renewable energy input and therefore to further reduce fuel consumption.
Example: StruFlex bearing dampers support a series of inverted pendulum mass
dampers on the deck of a 300.000DWT VLCC oil tanker ship – VS – the same oil tanker
ship without dampers
- Inverted pendulum mass dampers are made up of water tanks so to ensure quick discharge in an emergency situation, also the inverted pendulums are foldable
- Total mass of the inverted pendulums is 2% of the oil tanker mass
- The amplitude of the applied wave harmonic force has been chosen so as the oil tanker without dampers to have a maximum rolling angle of ~8 degrees
- The amplitude of the applied wave harmonic force is the same for both oil tankers
- To get the most onerous response of each oil tanker (for comparison) the frequency of the applied wave harmonic force on each oil tanker matches the natural frequency of the corresponding oil tanker
- Comparison of wave-induced steady state responses is shown in the graph below
- The bearing dampers comprise a StruFlex hydraulic energy converting module (or other) for converting the dissipated energy into electric power
- The converted wave energy is shown in the graph below
- As the rolling angle increases the converted wave energy increases exponentially
- The bearing dampers can be semi-active or active so to maximize wave energy conversion and rolling angle reduction
- Inverted pendulum mass dampers can be combined with wind assisted propulsion systems
Railway:
- Railway and transport infrastructure: StruFlex bearing dampers reduce the amplitude of vehicular-induced vibrations and potentially convert the dissipated energy into electric power
Heavy machinery:
- Heavy machines e.g. off-shore oil rigs: StruFlex bearing dampers reduce the amplitude of wave-induced & wind-induced vibrations and potentially convert the dissipated energy into electric power
Military:
- Military industry: StruFlex bearings, bearing dampers, and bearing springs reduce the amplitude of induced vibrations and provide setting adjustment, and spring supports/joints to military equipment