Optimal Vibration Suppression in Modal Space for Flexible Beams Subjected to Moving Loads

Optimal independent modal space control for vibration suppression of beam structures traversed by a moving concentrated force was examined. Two control methodologies, optimal linear quadratic tracking and an optimal linear quadratic regulator, were utilized, with the former approach taking into account the disturbance due to the moving load and the latter one simply ignoring that disturbance. One single actuator placed at the beam center was found to be sufficient to suppress excessive vibration of a beam traversed by the moving load with a reasonable amount of control input. This study shows that excessive vibration of the beam structure induced by the moving load can be more effectively suppressed using the tracking control approach than using the regulator design, even with ±50% variation of the moving load magnitude or speed from that designed for the tracking control system.