Seismic response control of frame structures using magnetorheological/electrorheological dampers

Abstract

SUMMARYSemi-active control of buildings and structures for earthquake hazard mitigation represents a relatively new research area. Two optimal displacement control strategies for semi-active control of seismic response of frame structures using magnetorheological (MR) dampers or electrorheological (ER) dampers are proposed in this study. The e$cacy of these displacement control strategies is compared with the optimal force control strategy. The sti!ness of brace system supporting the smart damper is also taken into consideration. An extensive parameter study is carried out to "nd the optimal parameters of MR or ER #uids, by which the maximum reduction of seismic response may be achieved, and to assess the e!ects of earthquake intensity and brace sti!ness on damper performance. The work on example buildings showed that the installation of the smart dampers with proper parameters and proper control strategy could signi"cantly reduce seismic responses of structures, and the performance of the smart damper is better than that of the common brace or the passive devices. The optimal parameters of the damper and the proper control strategy could be identi"ed through a parameter study.

Electrorheological Fluids

“…[4,6] Although they are still evolving, [136±139] only newly developed ER devices or applications based on the positive ER effect are focussed on in this paper. Proposed new devices include gripping devices, [140] seismic controlling frame structures, [141] human muscle stimulators, [142,143] and spacecraft deployment dampers. [144] Examples of ER fluid applications in the materials science, tactile display, and sensor fields only are discussed.…”

Semi-Active Vibration Control of Laminated Composite Sandwich Plate – An Experimental Study

“…Furthermore, a range of semi-active control systems have been used in the various structural vibration control applications which include the controllable fluids, ER fluid and MR fluid. They provide the enhanced damping properties with only minimal power requirement compared to active and passive systems due to their controllable rheology (Spencer and Nagarajaiah [3], See [4], Stanway et al [5], Xu et al [6]). …”

Future Intelligent Civil Structures: Challenges and Opportunities

“…Benefiting from recent advances in smart materials, i.e. piezoelectric material [3][4], shape memory alloy, electro-sensitive materials and magneto-sensitive materials [5][6][7][8], vaious smart materials have been utilised in development of smart devices to facilitate semi-active/active structural control. Adaptive structural control of civil structures forms critical component for the development of intelligent civil structures.…”