TTWiiN, the technology accelerator of Thornton Tomasetti, the global leader in engineering design of supertall buildings, recently introduced Hummingbird Kinetics, an innovative solution for tuned mass damping in tall and supertall buildings. The Hummingbird is an affordable, flexible, compact solution to reduce the impact of wind motion, and is the modern solution for mass damping.
As cities increase in density and more tall buildings are built, there is a need for a better solution to the challenge of wind-induced motion in large buildings. Therefore, Hummingbird Kinetics provides an easy-to-maintain alternative to slosh tanks and pendulum dampers.
“With a smaller footprint than traditional dampers, the Hummingbird technology gives owners more usable space without sacrificing damping effectiveness,” said Elisabeth Malsch, Thornton Tomasetti principal. Malsch was instrumental in working with NASA to adapt and advance technology for use in rockets.
The Hummingbird solution is a patented and competitively priced fluid harmonic damper (FHD) that can be distributed throughout a building, improving efficiency and giving more leasable space back to the building owner. Hummingbird Kinetics premiered the new FHD at the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat International Conference in Australia, from October 30 to November 3.
“Technology to damp wind-induced sway in tall buildings has been around for about 50 years, and has improved incrementally. The Hummingbird approach offers building owners a leap in functionality and efficiency,” said Hans Utz, CEO of Hummingbird Kinetics. “RWDI is recognized globally as the premier firm for wind damping solutions. Their support and investment is a clear indicator of their belief in Hummingbird’s capabilities and benefits to building owners and developers.”
The first generation of the Hummingbird FHD was installed last year in a high-rise in Brooklyn, New York.
To learn more, visit: http://hummingbirdkinetics.com
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