Seismic response control of buildings with force saturation constraints

Ubertini, Filippo,Materazzi, A. Luigi Techno-Press 2013 Smart Structures and Systems, An International Jou Vol.12 No.2

We present an approach, based on the state dependent Riccati equation, for designing non-collocated seismic response control strategies for buildings accounting for physical constraints, with particular attention to force saturation. We consider both cases of active control using general actuators and semi-active control using magnetorheological dampers. The formulation includes multi control devices, acceleration feedback and time delay compensation. In the active case, the proposed approach is a generalization of the classic linear quadratic regulator, while, in the semi-active case, it represents a novel generalization of the well-established modified clipped optimal approach. As discussed in the paper, the main advantage of the proposed approach with respect to existing strategies is that it allows to naturally handle a broad class of non-linearities as well as different types of control constraints, not limited to force saturation but also including, for instance, displacement limitations. Numerical results on a typical building benchmark problem demonstrate that these additional features are achieved with essentially the same control effectiveness of existing saturation control strategies.

Active feedback control for cable vibrations

Ubertini, Filippo Techno-Press 2008 Smart Structures and Systems, An International Jou Vol.4 No.4

The nonlinear mechanics of cable vibration is caught either by analytical or numerical models. Nevertheless, the choice of the most appropriate method, in consideration of the problem under study, is not straightforward. A feedback control policy might even enhance the complexity of the system. Thus, in order to design a suitable controller, different approaches are here adopted. Devices mounted transversely to the cable in the two directions, close to one of its ends, supply the feedback control action based on the observation of the response in a few points. The low order terms of the control law are, at first, analyzed in the framework of linear models. Explicit analytic solutions are derived for this purpose. The effectiveness of high order terms in the control law is then explored by means of a finite element model(FEM), which accounts for high order harmonics. A suitably dimensional analytical Galerkin model is finally derived, to investigate the effectiveness of the proposed control strategy, when applied to a physical model.

Prevention of suspension bridge flutter using multiple tuned mass dampers

Ubertini, Filippo Techno-Press 2010 Wind and Structures, An International Journal (WAS Vol.13 No.3

The aeroelastic stability of bridge decks equipped with multiple tuned mass dampers is studied. The problem is attacked in the time domain, by representing self-excited loads with the aid of aerodynamic indicial functions approximated by truncated series of exponential filters. This approach allows to reduce the aeroelastic stability analysis in the form of a direct eigenvalue problem, by introducing an additional state variable for each exponential term adopted in the approximation of indicial functions. A general probabilistic framework for the optimal robust design of multiple tuned mass dampers is proposed, in which all possible sources of uncertainties can be accounted for. For the purposes of this study, the method is also simplified in a form which requires a lower computational effort and it is then applied to a general case study in order to analyze the control effectiveness of regular and irregular multiple tuned mass dampers. A special care is devoted to mistuning effects caused by random variations of the target frequency. Regular multiple tuned mass dampers are seen to improve both control effectiveness and robustness with respect to single tuned mass dampers. However, those devices exhibit an asymmetric behavior with respect to frequency mistuning, which may weaken their feasibility for technical applications. In order to overcome this drawback, an irregular multiple tuned mass damper is conceived which is based on unequal mass distribution. The optimal design of this device is finally pursued via a full domain search, which evidences a remarkable robustness against frequency mistuning, in the sense of the simplified design approach.

Prevention of suspension bridge flutter using multiple tuned mass dampers

Filippo Ubertini 한국풍공학회 2010 Wind and Structures, An International Journal (WAS Vol.13 No.3

The aeroelastic stability of bridge decks equipped with multiple tuned mass dampers is studied. The problem is attacked in the time domain, by representing self-excited loads with the aid of aerodynamic indicial functions approximated by truncated series of exponential filters. This approach allows to reduce the aeroelastic stability analysis in the form of a direct eigenvalue problem, by introducing an additional state variable for each exponential term adopted in the approximation of indicial functions. A general probabilistic framework for the optimal robust design of multiple tuned mass dampers is proposed, in which all possible sources of uncertainties can be accounted for. For the purposes of this study, the method is also simplified in a form which requires a lower computational effort and it is then applied to a general case study in order to analyze the control effectiveness of regular and irregular multiple tuned mass dampers. A special care is devoted to mistuning effects caused by random variations of the target frequency. Regular multiple tuned mass dampers are seen to improve both control effectiveness and robustness with respect to single tuned mass dampers. However, those devices exhibit an asymmetric behavior with respect to frequency mistuning, which may weaken their feasibility for technical applications. In order to overcome this drawback, an irregular multiple tuned mass damper is conceived which is based on unequal mass distribution. The optimal design of this device is finally pursued via a full domain search, which evidences a remarkable robustness against frequency mistuning, in the sense of the simplified design approach.

Seismic response control of buildings with force saturation constraints

Filippo Ubertini,A. Luigi Materazzi 국제구조공학회 2013 Smart Structures and Systems, An International Jou Vol.12 No.2

We present an approach, based on the state dependent Riccati equation, for designing non-collocated seismic response control strategies for buildings accounting for physical constraints, with particular attention to force saturation. We consider both cases of active control using general actuators and semi-active control using magnetorheological dampers. The formulation includes multi control devices, acceleration feedback and time delay compensation. In the active case, the proposed approach is a generalization of the classic linear quadratic regulator, while, in the semi-active case, it represents a novel generalization of the well-established modified clipped optimal approach. As discussed in the paper, the main advantage of the proposed approach with respect to existing strategies is that it allows to naturally handle a broad class of non-linearities as well as different types of control constraints, not limited to force saturation but also including, for instance, displacement limitations. Numerical results on a typical building benchmark problem demonstrate that these additional features are achieved with essentially the same control effectiveness of existing saturation control strategies.

System identification of a super high-rise building via a stochastic subspace approach

Faravelli, Lucia,Ubertini, Filippo,Fuggini, Clemente Techno-Press 2011 Smart Structures and Systems, An International Jou Vol.7 No.2

System identification is a fundamental step towards the application of structural health monitoring and damage detection techniques. On this respect, the development of evolved identification strategies is a priority for obtaining reliable and repeatable baseline modal parameters of an undamaged structure to be adopted as references for future structural health assessments. The paper presents the identification of the modal parameters of the Guangzhou New Television Tower, China, using a data-driven stochastic subspace identification (SSI-data) approach complemented with an appropriate automatic mode selection strategy which proved to be successful in previous literature studies. This well-known approach is based on a clustering technique which is adopted to discriminate structural modes from spurious noise ones. The method is applied to the acceleration measurements made available within the task I of the ANCRiSST benchmark problem, which cover 24 hours of continuous monitoring of the structural response under ambient excitation. These records are then subdivided into a convenient number of data sets and the variability of modal parameter estimates with ambient temperature and mean wind velocity are pointed out. Both 10 minutes and 1 hour long records are considered for this purpose. A comparison with finite element model predictions is finally carried out, using the structural matrices provided within the benchmark, in order to check that all the structural modes contained in the considered frequency interval are effectively identified via SSI-data.

System identification of a super high-rise building via a stochastic subspace approach

Lucia Faravelli,Filippo Ubertini,Clemente Fuggini 국제구조공학회 2011 Smart Structures and Systems, An International Jou Vol.7 No.2

System identification is a fundamental step towards the application of structural health monitoring and damage detection techniques. On this respect, the development of evolved identification strategies is a priority for obtaining reliable and repeatable baseline modal parameters of an undamaged structure to be adopted as references for future structural health assessments. The paper presents the identification of the modal parameters of the Guangzhou New Television Tower, China, using a data-driven stochastic subspace identification (SSI-data) approach complemented with an appropriate automatic mode selection strategy which proved to be successful in previous literature studies. This well-known approach is based on a clustering technique which is adopted to discriminate structural modes from spurious noise ones. The method is applied to the acceleration measurements made available within the task I of the ANCRiSST benchmark problem, which cover 24 hours of continuous monitoring of the structural response under ambient excitation. These records are then subdivided into a convenient number of data sets and the variability of modal parameter estimates with ambient temperature and mean wind velocity are pointed out. Both 10 minutes and 1 hour long records are considered for this purpose. A comparison with finite element model predictions is finally carried out, using the structural matrices provided within the benchmark, in order to check that all the structural modes contained in the considered frequency interval are effectively identified via SSI-data.

Active shape change of an SMA hybrid composite plate

Federica Daghia,Daniel J. Inman,Francesco Ubertini,Erasmo Viola 국제구조공학회 2010 Smart Structures and Systems, An International Jou Vol.6 No.2

An experimental study was carried out to investigate the shape control of plates via embedded shape memory alloy (SMA) wires. An extensive body of literature proposes the use of SMA wires to actively modify the shape or stiffness of a structure; in most cases, however, the study focuses on modeling and little experimental data is available. In this work, a simple proof of concept specimen was built by attaching four prestrained SMA wires to one side of a carbon fiber laminate plate strip. The specimen was clamped at one end and tested in an environmental chamber, measuring the tip displacement and the SMA temperature. At heating, actuation of the SMA wires bends the plate; at cooling deformation is partially recovered. The specimen was actuated a few times between two fixed temperatures Tc and Th, whereas in the last actuation a temperature Tf > Th was reached. Contrary to most model predictions, in the first actuation the transformation temperatures are significantly higher than in the following cycles, which are stable. Moreover, if the temperature Th is exceeded, two separate actuations occur during heating: the first follows the path of the stable cycles; the second, starting at Th, is similar to the first cycle. An interpretation of the phenomenon is given using some differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) measurements. The observed behavior emphasizes the need to build a more comprehensive constitutive model able to include these effects.

Active shape change of an SMA hybrid composite plate

Daghia, Federica,Inman, Daniel J.,Ubertini, Francesco,Viola, Erasmo Techno-Press 2010 Smart Structures and Systems, An International Jou Vol.6 No.2

An experimental study was carried out to investigate the shape control of plates via embedded shape memory alloy (SMA) wires. An extensive body of literature proposes the use of SMA wires to actively modify the shape or stiffness of a structure; in most cases, however, the study focuses on modeling and little experimental data is available. In this work, a simple proof of concept specimen was built by attaching four prestrained SMA wires to one side of a carbon fiber laminate plate strip. The specimen was clamped at one end and tested in an environmental chamber, measuring the tip displacement and the SMA temperature. At heating, actuation of the SMA wires bends the plate; at cooling deformation is partially recovered. The specimen was actuated a few times between two fixed temperatures $T_c$ and $T_h$, whereas in the last actuation a temperature $T_f$ > $T_h$ was reached. Contrary to most model predictions, in the first actuation the transformation temperatures are significantly higher than in the following cycles, which are stable. Moreover, if the temperature $T_h$ is exceeded, two separate actuations occur during heating: the first follows the path of the stable cycles; the second, starting at $T_h$, is similar to the first cycle. An interpretation of the phenomenon is given using some differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) measurements. The observed behavior emphasizes the need to build a more comprehensive constitutive model able to include these effects.

On the numerical simulation of perforated bluff-bodies: A CFD study on a hollow porous 5:1 rectangular cylinder

Mao Xu,Luca Patruno,Yuan-Lung Lo,Stefano de Miranda,Francesco Ubertini 한국풍공학회 2022 Wind and Structures, An International Journal (WAS Vol.34 No.1

In this work the flow through a hollow porous 5:1 rectangular cylinder made of perforated plates is numerically investigated by means of 2D URANS based simulations. Two approaches are adopted to account for the porous surfaces: in the first one the pores are explicitly modeled, so providing a detailed representation of the flow. In the second one, the porous surfaces are modeled by means of pressure jumps, which allow to take into account the presence of pores without reproducing the flow details. Results obtained by using the two aforementioned techniques are compared aiming at evaluating differences and similarities, as well as identifying the main flow features which might cause discrepancies. Results show that, even in the case of pores remarkably smaller than the immersed body, their arrangement can lead to local mechanisms able to affect the global flow arrangement, so limiting the accuracy of pressure jumps based simulations. Despite that, time-averaged fields often show a reasonable agreement between the two approaches.