In this paper, an analytical method is presented to determine the optimal parameters of the symmetric tuned mass damper, such as the ratio between natural frequency of tuned mass damper and shaft (tuning ratio) and the ratio of the viscous coefficient of tuned mass damper (damping ratio). The optimal parameters of tuned mass damper are applied to reduce the torsional vibration of the shaft based on consideration of the vibration duration and stability criterion. The dynamic equations of the shaft are provided via Lagrangian equations, and the optimal parameters of tuned mass damper are derived by using the principle of minimum kinetic energy. Analytical and numerical examples are implemented to verify the reliability of the proposed method. The analytical and numerical results indicate that the optimal parameters of tuned mass damper have significant effects in the torsional vibration reduction of the shaft.
