Tuned mass damper in the context of "Resonant frequency"

A weight (also known as a mass) is an object, normally with high density, whose chief task is to have mass and exert weight (through gravity). It is used for different purposes, such as in:

• Anchor
• Balance weight
• Ballast
• Bob
• Counterweight
• Fishing sinker
• Paperweight
• Plumb bob
• Tuned mass damper
• Weight training equipment

Mechanical resonance is the tendency of a mechanical system to respond at greater amplitude when the frequency of its oscillations matches the system's natural frequency of vibration (its resonance frequency or resonant frequency) closer than it does other frequencies. It may cause violent swaying motions and potentially catastrophic failure in improperly constructed structures including bridges, buildings and airplanes. This is a phenomenon known as resonance disaster.

Avoiding resonance disasters is a major concern in every building, tower and bridge construction project. The Taipei 101 building for instance relies on a 660-ton pendulum—a tuned mass damper—to modify the response at resonance. The structure is also designed to resonate at a frequency which does not typically occur. Buildings in seismic zones are often constructed to take into account the oscillating frequencies of expected ground motion. Engineers designing objects that have engines must ensure that the mechanical resonant frequencies of the component parts do not match driving vibrational frequencies of the motors or other strongly oscillating parts.