Control and Response Characteristics of a Mixed Mode MR Damper for a Multi-Story Structure

Abstract

This paper presents vibration control responses of a multi-story structure installed with a semi-active magneto-rheological(MR) damper. As a first step, performance characteristics of three different working modes for MR fluid are compared and the mixed mode type of MR damper is chosen as an optimal candidate for the vibration control of the multi-story structure. An appropriate size of the mixed mode MR damper is devised and manufactured on the basis of the field-dependent Bingham model of the MR fluid which is commercially available. The damping force of the mixed mode MR damper is evaluated with respect to the excitation frequency at various magnetic fields. After formulating the governing equation of motion for the small scaled three-story structure associated with the MR damper, the linear quadratic regulator(LQR) controller to effectively suppress unwanted structural vibrations is designed by imposing semi-active actuating conditions. The control algorithm is then empirically implemented under earthquake conditions and the control responses of the horizontal relative displacement and acceleration are evaluated in time and frequency domains through computer simulations.