Automatic Directing System for Controlling the Vibration of Frame Structures in Any Horizontal Direction Using a Hybrid Mass Damper

Abstract

This paper presents a hybrid system for controlling wind-induced flexural vibration of a frame structure in any vertical plan. The system was implemented and tested in a prototype reduced-scale two-floor building, which had steel decks supported by four columns of aluminum. The actuator consisted of a direct current motor that slid on a rail placed on top of the structure. The displacement of the motor was synchronized with lateral displacements of the structure obtained from the deformations of the columns, which, in turn, were measured by strain gages. A proposed system to automatically adjust direction was incorporated to the actuator to position it at the plan in which the structure oscillates, thus enabling a single mass to be used to absorb vibration in any vertical plan. The fuzzy control technique was employed in this control system, which was shown to be adequate for attenuating vibration.