Experimental implementation of the modified independent modal space control method

Abstract

In this study an experimental realization of a Modified Independent Modal Space Control (MIMSC) method to control the vibration of a flexible cantilevered beam is presented. The method relies in its operation on the use of one piezo-electric actuator to control several vibration modes through a uniquely developed “time sharing” strategy. The effectiveness of the MIMSC method, in damping out the beam vibration, is demonstrated clearly by comparing the results with those obtained by other modal control methods. Two methods are considered; namely, the Independent Modal Space Control (IMSC) method and the Pseudo-Inverse (PI) method. The experimental results obtained emphasize the feasibility of the MIMSC method as a viable alternative for controlling large flexible structures with very small number of actuators.