Because of the intrinsically nonlinear nature of semiactive control devices, development of control strategies that are practically implementable and can fully utilize the capabilities of these promising devices is an important and challenging task. In this study, we propose the use of an adaptive fuzzy strategy for the control of a structure installed with a magnetorheological (MR) damper. The proposed adaptive fuzzy control strategy involves the design of a fuzzy controller and an adaptation law for the combined structure-MR damper system. The objective control is to minimize the difference between a desirable response and the response of the combined system by intelligently adjusting its active component, the MR damper. The use of the adaptation law requires on-line monitoring of system response but eliminates the needs of acquiring any characteristics of the combined system in advance. The combination of the fuzzy controller and the adaptation law provides a robust control strategy that can be used on a nonlinear or uncertain system under random loads. A numerical example which involves controlling a single- degree-of-freedom structure under earthquake excitation using a MR damper is studied and presented. The simulated results indicate that the proposed adaptive fuzzy control strategy is quite effective and appropriate for the use of semiactive devices such as the MR damper.

Date Published: 20 April 2000
PDF: 11 pages
Proc. SPIE 3988, Smart Structures and Materials 2000: Smart Systems for Bridges, Structures, and Highways, (20 April 2000); doi: 10.1117/12.383131

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 3988:
Smart Structures and Materials 2000: Smart Systems for Bridges, Structures, and Highways
S.-C. Liu, Editor(s)