Premium
Design and control algorithm for structures equipped with active variable stiffness devices
Author(s) -
Pnevmatikos Nikos G.,
Gantes Charis J.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
structural control and health monitoring
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.587
H-Index - 62
eISSN - 1545-2263
pISSN - 1545-2255
DOI - 10.1002/stc.334
Subject(s) - stiffness , diagonal , engineering , algorithm , control theory (sociology) , phase (matter) , signal (programming language) , bracing , structural engineering , control (management) , computer science , mathematics , artificial intelligence , physics , geometry , quantum mechanics , brace , programming language
The design of structures with diagonal braces equipped with active variable stiffness devices, which can activate or deactivate the braces, is investigated, and an algorithm for their control under seismic actions based on non‐resonance theory is proposed. More specifically, a new approach for choosing the bracing stiffness based on the frequency content of a range of anticipated earthquake signals and a corresponding control algorithm based on the frequency content of the incoming earthquake signal are proposed. The control strategy consists of the design and the operational phase. In the design phase, the diagonal stiffness elements (braces) are designed, based on a proposed expression, which relates the frequencies of the structure when the diagonal elements participate, or not, to the stiffness, to the width of the important frequency window of the anticipated earthquake. In the operational phase the incoming signal is continuously measured on‐line and its frequency content is recognized. Based on this frequency content the control algorithm takes an appropriate decision on activating or deactivating the stiffness devices. The design procedure and the effectiveness of the control algorithm are demonstrated by numerical examples. The simulation results indicate that significant reduction in the response of the controlled structure can be achieved. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.