Magnetic Dampers

Magnetic dampers are based on the phenomenon of Foucault currents or eddy currents. Eddy currents are generated in a conductor when it moves in a magnetic field. The electrical resistance of the conductor causes currents to generate heat and dissipate energy. This phenomenon, initially exploited for braking tram-trains, was used by the author to create viscous dampers. In fact, they react to a dynamic impulse with the same law as hydraulic dampers and can be perfectly equated with them, also from a regulatory point of view according to European standards. This chapter describes some types of magnetic dampers and in particular those used for tuned mass dampers. In the field of construction, bridges, and buildings, they have not yet caught on despite the undeniable advantages over hydraulic devices, due to their high cost.