• 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.

• Architectural research
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.99-108
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• 2012

An innovative multi-story Semi-Active Tuned Mass Damper (SATMD) building system is proposed to control seismic response of existing structures. The application of adding new stories as large tuned mass and semi-active (SA) resettable actuators as central features of the control scheme is derived. For the effective control of the structures, the optimal tuning parameters are considered for the large mass ratio, for which a previously proposed equation is used and the practical optimal stiffness is allocated to the actuator stiffness and rubber bearing stiffness. A two-degree-of freedom (2-DOF) model is adopted to verify the principal efficiency of the suggested structural control concept. The simulations for this study utilizes the three ground motions, from SAC project, having probability of exceedance of 50% in 50 years, 10% in 50 years, and 2% in 50 years for the Los Angeles region. 12-story moment resisting frames, which are modified as '12+2' and '12+4' story structures, are investigated to assess the viability and effectiveness of the system that aims to reduce the response of the buildings to earthquakes. The control ability of the SATMD scheme is compared to that of an uncontrolled and an ideal Passive Tuned Mass Damper (PTMD) building system. From the performance results of suggested '12+2' and '12+4' story retrofitting case studies, SATMD systems shows significant promise for application of structural control where extra stories might be added.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.95-110
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• 2019

The semi-active impact damper (SAID) is proposed to improve the damping efficiency of traditional passive impact dampers. In order to investigate its damping mechanism and vibration control effects on realistic engineering structures, a 20-story nonlinear benchmark building is used as the main structure. The studies on system parameters, including the mass ratio, damping ratio, rigid coefficient, and the intensity of excitation are carried out, and their effects both on linear and nonlinear indexes are evaluated. The damping mechanism is herein further investigated and some suggestions for the design in high-rise buildings are also proposed. To validate the superiority of SAID, an optimal passive particle impact damper ($PID_{opt}$) is also investigated as a control group, in which the parameters of the SAID remain the same, and the optimal parameters of the $PID_{opt}$ are designed by differential evolution algorithm based on a reduced-order model. The numerical simulation shows that the SAID has better control effects than that of the optimized passive particle impact damper, not only for linear indexes (e.g., root mean square response), but also for nonlinear indexes (e.g., component energy consumption and hinge joint curvature).

• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.149-156
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• 2022

Magneto-Rheological Fluid (MRF) is a functional fluid in which flow characteristics change into magnetic force due to its magnetic particles. When the semi-active control device does not use MRF for a long time, precipitation of magnetic particles and abnormal control force occur. Thus, Electro Magneto-Rheological Fluid (EMRF), which improves the precipitation of magnetic particles for MRF and exhibits existing control performance, was developed in this study. First, the optimal mix proportion ratio was selected by conducting a precipitation experiment and a controlled force test by varying the content of grease based on the existing MRF components. Also, EMRF was applied to the shear-type damper to evaluate the control performance when applied to the control device. The cylinder-type damper was developed to apply to the structure, and control performance evaluation was conducted. The result confirmed that the precipitation of the magnetic particles was improved, while the damper using EMRF exhibited excellent control performance.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.721-747
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• 2005

The strong need of verifying theories formulated for semi-active control through applications to real structures is due to the fact that theoretical research on semi-active control systems is not matched by a corresponding satisfactory experimental activity. This paper shows how a smart system including magnetorheological devices as damping elements can be implemented in a large-scale structural model, by describing in detail the kind of electronics (dedicated hardware and software) adopted during the experimental campaign. It also describes the most interesting results in terms of reduction of the seismic response (either experimental or numerical) of the semi-actively controlled structure compared to a passive operating control system, and in terms of the evaluation criteria proposed in the benchmark for seismically excited controlled buildings. The paper also explains how to derive from the classical theory of optimal control the adopted control logic, based on a clear physical approach, and provides an exhaustive picture of the time delays characterizing the control sequence.

• 제어로봇시스템학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2003.10a
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• pp.278-281
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• 2003

The focus of this research is to realize the function which is equivalent to the active suspension system, with controlling semi-active suspension through the attenuation of power variable damper in lower cost and smaller energy. Actually some semi-active suspension systems have been adopted, but they are not sufficient in performance. The authors intended to develop more effective and practical system and applied the optimal control technique. The results of experiments with practical suspension system showed a degree of improvement of comfortableness.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.435-451
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• 2014

In this paper, we investigate the vibration control of multimodal structures and present an efficient control law that requires less energy supply than active strategies. This strategy is called modal global semi-active control and is designed to work as effectively as the active control and consume less power which represents its major limitation. The proposed law is based on an energetic management of the optimal law such that the controller follows this latter only if there is sufficient energy which will be extracted directly from the system vibrations itself. The control algorithm is presented and validated for a cantilever beam structure subjected to external perturbations. Comparisons between the proposed law performances and those obtained by independent modal space control (IMSC) and semi-active control schemes are offered.

• Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology
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• v.14 no.8
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• pp.807-815
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• 2000

In this paper, modified discrete time preview control algorithms for active and semi-active suspension systems are derived based on a simple mathematical 4 DOF half-car model. The discrete time preview control laws for ride comfort are employed in the simulation. The algorithms for MIMO system contain control strategies reacting against body forces that occur at cornering, accelerating, braking, or under payload, in addition to road disturbances. Matlab simulation results for the discrete time case are compared with those for the continuous time case and the appropriateness of the discrete time algorithms are verified by the of simulation results. Passive, active, and semi-active system responses to a sinusoidal input and an asphalt road input are analysed and evaluated. The simulation results show the extent of performance degradation due to numerical errors related to the length of the sampling time and time delay.

• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.113-123
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• 2016

This paper is concerned with an experimental research to control of random vibration caused by external loads specially in cable-stayed bridges which tend to be structurally flexible. For the vibration control, we produced a model structure modelled on Seohae Grand Bridge, and we designed a shear type MR damper. On the center of its middle span, we placed a shear type MR damper which was to control its vibration and also acquire its structural responses such as displacement and acceleration at the same site. The experiments concerning controlling vibration were performed according to a variety of theories including un-control, passive on/off control, and clipped-optimal control. Its control performance was evaluated in terms of the absolute maximum displacements, RMS displacements, the absolute maximum accelerations, RMS accelerations, and the total power required to control the bridge which differ from each different experiment method. Among all the methods applied in this paper, clipped-optimal control method turned out to be the most effective to reduces of displacements, accelerations, and external power. Finally, It is proven that the clipped-optimal control method was effective and useful in the vibration control employing a semi-active devices such MR damper.

• Journal of Aerospace System Engineering
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2013

Launch vehicles cause several shock events during their lift-off. The excessive shock loads in the several thousands of g's level can results in permanent damage to electronics, optics and other sensitive payload components. The shock can be attenuated by mounting a shock absorber. In this paper, we proposed a semi-active control logic to attenuate the shock so that the input acceleration to main instruments does not exceed the allowable maximum acceleration value. For the performance investigation, two elements model of variable damping and spring stiffness has been used and the analysis results indicate that the proposed semi-active control logic attenuates shock level better than an optimal passive and conventional semi-active on-off control system.