Massadämpäri

Massadämpäri is a Finnish term that translates to "mass damper." In physics and engineering, a mass damper is a device designed to reduce unwanted vibrations in structures. These vibrations can be caused by various sources, such as earthquakes, wind, or machinery. The core principle behind a mass damper is to counteract the oscillations of the structure by introducing a counteracting mass that moves out of phase with the structure's vibrations.

There are several types of mass dampers. Tuned mass dampers (TMDs) are the most common. They consist of a mass attached to the structure via springs and a damping mechanism. The mass and stiffness of the TMD are tuned so that its natural frequency is close to the natural frequency of the structure it's designed to protect. When the structure vibrates at its natural frequency, the TMD oscillates with a larger amplitude, absorbing energy from the structure and dissipating it through its damping mechanism. This reduces the amplitude of the structure's vibrations.

Another type is a viscous damper, which uses a fluid to resist motion. This type of damper is often used in conjunction with other damping systems. Mass dampers are widely used in tall buildings, bridges, and even in some vehicles and musical instruments to improve stability and comfort by reducing resonance and the resulting excessive movement. The effectiveness of a mass damper depends on its proper design, tuning, and installation to match the specific characteristics of the structure and the expected vibrations.