• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.139-154
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• 2016

This paper is concerned with the dynamics of hyperelastic solids and structures. We seek for a smart control actuation that produces a desired (prescribed) displacement field in the presence of transient imposed forces. In the literature, this problem is denoted as displacement tracking, or also as shape morphing problem. One talks about shape control, when the displacements to be tracked do vanish. In the present paper, it is assumed that the control actuation is provided by imposed eigenstrains, e.g., by the electric field in piezoelectric actuators, or by thermal actuators, or via analogous physical effects, such as magneto-striction or pre-stress. Structures with a controlled eigenstrain-type actuation belong to the class of smart structures. The action of the eigenstrains can be conveniently characterized by actuation stresses. Our theoretical derivations are performed in the framework of the theory of small incremental dynamic deformations superimposed upon a statically pre-deformed configuration of a hyperelastic solid or structure. We particularly ask for a distribution of incremental actuation stresses, such that the incremental displacements follow exactly a prescribed trajectory field, despite the imposed incremental forces are present. An exact solution of this problem is presented under the assumption that the actuation stresses can be tailored freely and applied everywhere within the body. Extending a Neumann-type solution strategy, it is shown that the actuation stresses due to the distributed control eigenstrains must satisfy certain quasi-static equilibrium conditions, where auxiliary body-forces and auxiliary surface tractions are to be taken into account. The latter auxiliary loading can be directly computed from the imposed forces and from the desired displacement field to be tracked. Hence, despite the problem is a dynamic one, a straightforward computation of proper actuator distributions can be obtained in the framework of quasi-static equilibrium conditions. Necessary conditions for the functioning of this concept are presented. Particularly, it must be required that the intermediate configuration is infinitesimally superstable. Previous results of our group for the case of shape control and displacement tracking in linear elastic structures are included as special cases. The high potential of the solution is demonstrated via Finite Element computations for an irregularly shaped four-corner plate in a state of plain strain.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.1055-1079
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• 2014

Substructure shake table testing is a class of real-time hybrid simulation (RTHS). It combines shake table tests of substructures with real-time computational simulation of the remaining part of the structure to assess dynamic response of the entire structure. Unlike in the conventional hybrid simulation, substructure shake table testing imposes acceleration compatibilities at substructure boundaries. However, acceleration tracking of shake tables is extremely challenging, and it is not possible to produce perfect acceleration tracking without time delay. If responses of the experimental substructure have high correlation with ground accelerations, response errors are inevitably induced by the erroneous input acceleration. Feeding the erroneous responses into the RTHS procedure will deteriorate the simulation results. This study presents a set of techniques to enable reliable substructure shake table testing. The developed techniques include compensation techniques for errors induced by imperfect input acceleration of shake tables, model-based actuator delay compensation with state observer, and force correction to eliminate process and measurement noises. These techniques are experimentally investigated through RTHS using a uni-axial shake table and three-story steel frame structure at the Johns Hopkins University. The simulation results showed that substructure shake table testing with the developed compensation techniques provides an accurate and reliable means to simulate the dynamic responses of the entire structure under earthquake excitations.

• Journal of Advanced Marine Engineering and Technology
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.309-316
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• 2011

This paper deals with the experimental study of the vibration suppression of the smart structures. First, a new high-speed active control system is presented using the DSP320C6713 microprocessor. A peripheral system developed is composed of a data acquisition system, A/D and D/A converters, piezoelectric (PZT) actuator/sensors, and drivers using PA 95 for fast data processing. Next, the processing time of the peripheral device is tested and the corresponding test results are provided. Since fast data processing is very important in the active vibration control of the structures, achieving the fast loop times of the control system is focused. The control algorithm using PPF in addition to FIR filter is implemented. Finally, numerous experiments were carried out on the aluminum plate to validate the superior performance of the vibration control system at different control loop times.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.305-318
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• 2008

The development of a digital signal processor based prototype is described in relation to continuing efforts for realizing a fully self-contained active sensor system utilizing impedance-based structural health monitoring. The impedance method utilizes a piezoelectric material bonded to the structure under observation to act as both an actuator and sensor. By monitoring the electrical impedance of the piezoelectric material, insights into the health of the structured can be inferred. The active sensing system detailed in this paper interrogates a structure utilizing a self-sensing actuator and a low cost impedance method. Here, all the data processing, storage, and analysis is performed at the sensor location. A wireless transmitter is used to communicate the current status of the structure. With this new low cost, field deployable impedance analyzer, reliance on traditional expensive, bulky, and power consuming impedance analyzers is no longer necessary. A complete power analysis of the prototype is performed to determine the validity of power harvesting being utilized for self-containment of the hardware. Experimental validation of the prototype on a representative structure is also performed and compared to traditional methods of damage detection.

• Journal of Drive and Control
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.46-51
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• 2018

Many research studies have been carried out related to saving energy and environmental pollution in the field of construction machinery. The best solution for reducing the related environmental pollution is to reduce fuel consumption by upgrading the energy efficiency of machinery used in this field. An efficiency upgrade in the field of construction machinery would mean minimizing the pressure loss in hydraulic pipe lines or achieving optimal operating conditions while responding to a load. One way to achieve this is to make an equivalent circuit, like an electrohydrostatic actuator, or to improve the spool type valve using the 4/3 way method. This study deals with an electrohydraulic proportional flow control valve. SimulationX software is used as a simulation tool for analyzing the dynamic characteristics. The analysis results, including the performance and characteristics of design parameters, are discussed and the validity of the theoretical analysis is also evaluated.

• Journal of Advanced Marine Engineering and Technology
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.918-924
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• 2009

This paper deals with the experimental assessment of the vibration suppression of the smart structures. First, we have presented the paper about the new high-speed active control system that we have developed using the DSP320C6713 microprocessor and a peripheral system composed of a data acquisition system, A/D and D/A converters, piezoelectric (PZT) actuator/sensors, and drivers using PA95. Since fast data processing is very important in the active vibration control of the structures, we utilized the fast processing DSP320C6713 microprocessor as a main processor to the controller and fast peripheral devices for fast control loop. To realize a fast active vibration control, we have analyzed and tested the processing time of the peripheral devices and provided the corresponding test results. Especially, we have focused on achieving the fast signal amplification of the PA95 device since it takes most of loop times of the control system. Finally, we performed numerous experiments of active vibration control of the aluminum plate to validate the superior performance of the developed control system based on previous mode tests of the plate.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.671-686
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• 2019

Active control of solar panels with honeycomb core and carbon nanotube reinforced composite (CNTRC) facesheets for smart structures using piezoelectric patch sensor and actuator to reduce the amplitude of vibration is a lack of the previous study and it is the novelty of this research. Of active control elements are piezoelectric patches which act as sensors and actuators in many systems. Their low power consumption is worth mentioning. Thus, deriving a simple and efficient model of piezoelectric patch's elastic, electrical, and elastoelectric properties would be of much significance. In the present study, first, to reduce vibrations in composite plates reinforced by carbon nanotubes, motion equations were obtained by the extended rule of mixture. Second, to simulate the equations of the system, up to 36 mode shape vectors were considered so that the stress strain behavior of the panel and extent of displacement are thoroughly evaluated. Then, to have a more acceptable analysis, the effects of external disturbances (Aerodynamic forces) and lumped mass are investigated on the stability of the system. Finally, elastoelectric effects are examined in piezoelectric patches. The results of the present research can be used for micro-vibration suppression in satellites such as solar panels, space telescopes, and interferometers and also to optimize active control panel for various applications.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.361-377
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• 2019

The stiffness of shape memory alloy (SMA) spring while in actuation is represented by an empirical model that is derived from the logistic differential equation. This model correlates the stiffness to the alloy temperature and the functionality of SMA spring as active variable stiffness actuator (VSA) is analyzed based on factors that are the input conditions (activation current, duty cycle and excitation frequency) and operating conditions (pre-stress and mechanical connection). The model parameters are estimated by adopting the nonlinear least square method, henceforth, the model is validated experimentally. The average correlation factor of 0.95 between the model response and experimental results validates the proposed model. In furtherance, the justification is augmented from the comparison with existing stiffness models (logistic curve model and polynomial model). The important distinction from several observations regarding the comparison of the model prediction with the experimental states that it is more superior, flexible and adaptable than the existing. The nature of stiffness variation in the SMA spring is assessed also from the Dynamic Mechanical Thermal Analysis (DMTA), which as well proves the proposal. This model advances the ability to use SMA integrated mechanism for enhanced variable stiffness actuation. The investigation proves that the stiffness of SMA spring may be altered under controlled conditions.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.155-167
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• 2020

This paper demonstrates a real-time hybrid substructuring (RTHS) shake table test to evaluate the seismic performance of a base isolated building. Since RTHS involves a feedback loop in the test implementation, the frequency dependent magnitude and inherent time delay of the actuator dynamics can introduce inaccuracy and instability. The paper presents a robust stability and performance analysis method for the RTHS test. The robust stability method involves casting the actuator dynamics as a multiplicative uncertainty and applying the small gain theorem to derive the sufficient conditions for robust stability and performance. The attractive feature of this robust stability and performance analysis method is that it accommodates linearized modeled or measured frequency response functions for both the physical substructure and actuator dynamics. Significant experimental research has been conducted on base isolators and dampers toward developing high fidelity numerical models. Shake table testing, where the building superstructure is tested while the isolation layer is numerically modeled, can allow for a range of isolation strategies to be examined for a single shake table experiment. Further, recent concerns in base isolation for long period, long duration earthquakes necessitate adding damping at the isolation layer, which can allow higher frequency energy to be transmitted into the superstructure and can result in damage to structural and nonstructural components that can be difficult to numerically model and accurately predict. As such, physical testing of the superstructure while numerically modeling the isolation layer may be desired. The RTHS approach has been previously proposed for base isolated buildings, however, to date it has not been conducted on a base isolated structure isolated at the ground level and where the isolation layer itself is numerically simulated. This configuration provides multiple challenges in the RTHS stability associated with higher physical substructure frequencies and a low numerical to physical mass ratio. This paper demonstrates a base isolated RTHS test and the robust stability and performance analysis necessary to ensure the stability and accuracy. The tests consist of a scaled idealized 4-story superstructure building model placed directly onto a shake table and the isolation layer simulated in MATLAB/Simulink using a dSpace real-time controller.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.483-498
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• 2017

Real-Time Hybrid Simulation (RTHS) is a powerful and cost-effective dynamic experimental technique. To implement a stable and accurate RTHS, time delay present in the experiment loop needs to be compensated. This delay is mostly introduced by servo-hydraulic actuator dynamics and can be reduced by applying appropriate compensators. Existing compensators have demonstrated effective performance in achieving good tracking performance. Most of them have been focused on their application in cases where the structure under investigation is subjected to inputs with relatively low frequency bandwidth such as earthquake excitations. To advance RTHS as an attractive technique for other engineering applications with broader excitation frequency, a discrete-time feedforward compensator is developed herein via various optimization techniques to enhance the performance of RTHS. The proposed compensator is unique as a discrete-time, model-based feedforward compensator. The feedforward control is chosen because it can substantially improve the reference tracking performance and speed when the plant dynamics is well-understood and modeled. The discrete-time formulation enables the use of inherently stable digital filters for compensator development, and avoids the error induced by continuous-time to discrete-time conversion during the compensator implementation in digital computer. This paper discusses the technical challenges in designing a discrete-time compensator, and proposes several optimal solutions to resolve these challenges. The effectiveness of compensators obtained via these optimal solutions is demonstrated through both numerical and experimental studies. Then, the proposed compensators have been successfully applied to RTHS tests. By comparing these results to results obtained using several existing feedforward compensators, the proposed compensator demonstrates superior performance in both time delay and Root-Mean-Square (RMS) error.