Continuous pulse and hybrid control of structures

Abstract

AbstractIn recent years, passive as well as active control methods have been implemented for structural motion reduction of tall buildings in earthquakes. An active control method for the inelastic response of tall buildings is presented. The proposed method of continuous pulse control uses closed‐loop feedback control as a combination of two algorithms. The first is a linear control algorithm‐instantaneous optimal control‐and the second is a pulse control algorithm‐the pulse control algorithm‐which applies a corrective pulse when a prespecified structural velocity threshold is exceeded. The control forces required by active control systems to reduce the seismic response of tall buildings can be quite large. On the other hand, passive control systems such as the viscoelastic dampers do not require external energy for their operation. The possibility of combining viscoelastic dampers and the active bracing system for reducing the required control forces is examined. The combination of passive and active devices improves safety, serviceability and the comfort of the building's occupants.