• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.17 no.3_4
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• pp.493-526
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• 2004

Semiactive control systems have received considerable attention for protecting structures against natural hazards such as strong earthquakes and high winds, because they not only offer the reliability of passive control systems but also maintain the versatility and adaptability of fully active control systems. Among the many semiactive control devices, magnetorheological (MR) fluid dampers comprise one particularly promising class. In the field of civil engineering, much research and development on MR fluid damper-based control systems has been conducted since this unique semiactive device was first introduced to civil engineering applications in mid 1990s. In 2001, MR fluid dampers were applied to the full-scale in-service civil engineering structures for the first time. This state-of-the-art paper includes a detailed literature review of dynamic models of MR fluid dampers for describing their complex dynamic behavior and control algorithms considering the characteristics of MR fluid dampers. This extensive review provides references to semiactive control systems using MR fluid dampers. The MR fluid damper-based semiactive control systems are shown to have the potential for mitigating the responses of full-scale civil engineering structures under natural hazards.

• Proceedings of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute Conference
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• 2002.10a
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• pp.467-474
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• 2002

Semiactive control systems have received considerable attention for protecting structures against natural hazards such as strong earthquakes and high winds, because they not only offer the reliability of passive control systems but also maintain the versatility and adaptability of fully active control systems. Among the many semiactive control devices, magnetorheological (MR) fluid dampers comprise one particularly promising class. In the field of civil engineering, much research and development on MR fluid damper-based control systems has been conducted since B. F. Spencer first introduced this unique semiactive device to civil engineering applications in mid 1990s. In 2001, MR fluid dampers were applied to the full-scale in-service civil engineering structures for the first time. This state-of-the-art paper includes a detailed literature review of control algorithms considering the characteristics of fm fluid dampers. This review provides references to semiactive control systems using MR fluid dampers. The MR fluid damper-based semiactive control systems are shown to have the potential for mitigating the responses of full-scale civil engineering structures under natural hazards.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.87-96
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• 2024

Smart materials, such as magnetorheological (MR) fluid, have received considerable research attention in recent years due to their unique capabilities. MR fluid, which possesses a magnetic field controllable viscosity, has been extensively studied for vehicular applications with the aim of synthesizing optimal MR fluids, designing optimal MR dampers, and developing control strategies. However, a comprehensive study that primarily focuses on developing a cost-effective semi-active suspension system for a commercial vehicle in a developing nation is still lacking. This study addresses this gap by synthesizing an in-house MR fluid and studying its rheological properties. Subsequently, a novel single-sensor-based controller is developed and closed-loop simulations are conducted on a quarter-car semi-active model. Finally, the overall semi-active quarter-car suspension system is experimentally tested using a suspension test rig. The performance of the proposed system in terms of ride comfort and road holding is evaluated and is compared with simple control strategies. The dynamic range of the developed semi-active MR damper is found to be around 2.3, indicating a significant MR effect. The results suggest an intermediate response using the proposed acceleration-driven controller (ADV) at lower frequencies and similar performance to that of the skyhook controller at higher frequencies. The cost-effective methodology proposed in this study is effective and can be adapted for other semi-active engineering applications.

• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.63-71
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• 2002

This paper examines the ASCE first generation benchmark problem for a seismically excited cable-stayed bridge, and proposes a new semi-active control strategy focusing on inclusion of effects of control-structure interaction. This benchmark problem focuses on a cable-stayed bridge in Cope Girardeau, Missouri, USA, for which construction is expected to be completed in 2003. Seismic considerations were strongly considered in the design of this bridge due to the location of the bridge in the New Madrid seismic zone and its critical role as a principal crossing of the Mississippi River. In this paper, magnetorheological(MR) fluid dampers are proposed as the supplemental damping devices, and a clipped-optimal control algorithm is employed. Several types of dynamic models for MR fluid dampers, such as a Bingham model, a Bouc-Wen model, and a modified Bouc-Wen model, are considered, which are obtained from data based on experimental results for full-scale dampers. Because the MR fluid damper is a controllable energy-dissipation device that cannot add mechanical energy to the structural system, the proposed control strategy is fail-safe in that bounded-input, bounded-output stability of the controlled structure is guaranteed. Numerical simulation results show that the performance of the proposed semi-active control strategy using MR fluid dampers is quite effective.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.53-74
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• 2016

This paper presents an experimental study on constructing a tunable secondary suspension for high-speed trains using magneto-rheological fluid dampers (referred to as MR dampers hereafter), in the interest of improving lateral ride comfort. Two types of MR dampers (type-A and type-B) with different control ranges are designed and fabricated. The developed dampers are incorporated into a secondary suspension of a full-scale high-speed train carriage for rolling-vibration tests. The integrated rail vehicle runs at a series of speeds from 40 to 380 km/h and with different current inputs to the MR dampers. The dynamic performance of the two suspension systems and the ride comfort rating of the rail vehicle are evaluated using the accelerations measured during the tests. In this way, the effectiveness of the developed MR dampers for attenuating vibration is assessed. The type-A MR dampers function like a stiffness component, rather than an energy dissipative device, during the tests with different running speeds. While, the type-B MR dampers exhibit significant damping and high current input to the dampers may adversely affect the ride comfort. As part of an ongoing investigation on devising an effective MR secondary suspension for lateral vibration suppression, this preliminary study provides an insight into dynamic behavior of high-speed train secondary suspensions and unique full-scale experimental data for optimal design of MR dampers suitable for high-speed rail applications.