Vibration Suppression of Flexible Plate Structures Using Swarm and Genetic Optimization Techniques

Abstract

This paper presents the development of an active vibration control mechanism using genetic algorithm and particle swarm optimization. The approaches are realized with single-input single-output and single-input multiple-output control configurations in a flexible plate structure with all edges clamped. Simulations are carried out with different disturbance signal types, namely random, pseudo random binary sequence, and finite-duration step. The control design comprises a direct minimization of the error (observed) signal by searching the optimal locations of the detector and secondary source, along with the controller parameters. The algorithms are formulated with an objective function based on mean square of the observed vibration. In this manner, knowledge of the input/output characterization of the system is not required for design of the controller. The performance of the system is assessed and analyzed both in the time and frequency domains and it is demonstrated that the proposed scheme reduces vibration of the flexible plate significantly.