Steel Ball saviour: How Taipei 101, Taiwan's tallest skyscraper, battles earthquakes

The recent earthquake, measuring 7.4 magnitude on the Richter scale, rocked the island nation of Taiwan. It caused damage across the island, however, one remarkable feat of engineering saved a structure amid the chaos.

While many buildings suffered damage and some even fell due to the tremors, Taipei 101, once the world's tallest skyscraper, survived and the secret of it lies in its innovative design elements, especially a colossal steel orb called a tuned mass damper.

Taipei 101's construction, combining reinforced concrete with steel, allowed it to sway with the seismic waves without sustaining damage. This architectural approach saves East Asian nations that are susceptible to earthquakes.

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Taipei 101's tuned mass damper is a huge golden sphere suspended within the skyscraper with the help of 92 thick cables. It is between the 87th and 92nd floors. 

This device, weighing 660 tonnes, effectively absorbs kinetic energy and safeguards the tower from structural failure. It is often used in earthquake engineering to mitigate the effects of seismic forces on structures such as buildings and bridges.

How does the golden sphere function?

The mass is designed to oscillate in response to the seismic motion, but with a frequency that is tuned to counteract the resonant frequency of the structure.

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When an earthquake occurs, the ground shakes at various frequencies, including the resonant frequency of the building or structure. This resonance can amplify the shaking and lead to structural damage or collapse.

By installing a tuned mass damper, engineers can effectively counteract this resonance by introducing a mass that oscillates out of phase with the building's natural vibrations.

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When a building shakes, the mass of the damper moves in the opposite direction, absorbing and dissipating energy from the seismic waves. This helps reduce the amplitude of the building's motion and minimise structural damage.

Tuned mass dampers are commonly used in tall buildings, skyscrapers, and other structures that are susceptible to seismic forces. They are an effective and relatively a cost-efficient way to enhance the seismic resilience of buildings and ensure the safety of occupants during earthquakes.

(With inputs from agencies)