Semiactive control strategies for MR dampers: Comparative study

This paper presents the results of a study to evaluate the performance of a number of recently proposed semiactive control algorithms for use with mul tiple magnetorheological (MR) dampers. Various control algorithms used in r ecent semiactive control studies are considered including the Lyapunov cont roller, decentralized bang-bang controller, modulated homogeneous friction algorithm, and a clipped optimal controller. Each algorithm is formulated f or use with the MR damper. Additionally, each algorithm uses measurements o f the absolute acceleration and device displacements for determining the co ntrol action to ensure that the algorithms could be implemented on a physic al structure. The performance of the algorithms is compared through a numer ical example, and the advantages of each algorithm are discussed. The numer ical example considers a six-story structure controlled with MR dampers on the lower two floors. Ln simulation, an El Centro earthquake is used to exc ite the system, and the reduction in the drifts, accelerations, and relativ e displacements throughout the structure is examined.