Bending vibration control of a MR fluid embedded smart beam exposed by the conjunction of wind-induced galloping effects

Abstract

This study examined the control performance of a multi-layer smart beam structure in which the middle layer was partially filled with magnetorheological (MR) fluid. A galloping profile was connected to the endpoint to obtain vibration from this smart beam element in a regular regime. Flow-induced continuous vibration was created on the beam element by giving wind load from a certain distance to this galloping profile. The natural frequency values of the smart beam element were obtained analytically using the lumped parameter mathematical model, and their accuracy was compared with numerical methods. An electromagnet was placed opposite to MR fluid region to suppress vibrations by creating an actuator relationship with the smart beam. A norm-based H∞ robust control design was realized by taking the natural frequencies of the beam element into account. The control design was applied to the experimental system and the effectiveness of the controller was tested under various conditions. It was observed that the proposed MR fluid embedded active control structure has good properties to suppress the wind-induced vibrations in practice.