Myanmar Earthquake Effects of Pools on Building

[mwessel]

Most of us have seen in the news the water coming out of pools on a high rise during the earthquake in Myanmar. It got me thinking and in a discussion with a friend. Does it help or hurt the stability of the building structure? At first thought, seems like extra mass at the top of the building is not good. On the other hand, does it provide possible damping force during the oscillations?

 

[Lomarandil]

Having not done those calculations myself, I understand it's possible for the sloshing to both damp the oscillations in the medium term, but to amplify individual oscillations, all depending on the period.

I'd consider it a net negative in most cases.

 

[IRstuff]

If nothing else, the structural reinforcing required to support a swimming pool would tend to make the building ever so slightly top-heavy