Intelligent controller optimizing structural performance and control devices

This chapter is dedicated to exploring the bearing of a control system governing the input current to the control device on the position and number of devices incorporated into a structure. The device placements and controller parameters are derived using a combinatorial optimization technique as the number and location of control devices are also important for effective structural performance against dynamic forces. Because it is impractical to install dampers on every section, optimizing this parameter is an important task. This study aims to develop an embedded controller that looks to integrate the control device alignment strategy with adaptive semi-active controller. Single control objectives are selected for integrated control strategies and correspondingly compared with traditional genetic-based algorithms using a H2/LQG algorithm with clipped optimal controller, to ascertain the effectiveness of the controllers. Next, experimental verification of integrated control strategy for multiple magnetorheological (MR) damper-controlled structures is conducted on a shake table. The optimal position of MR dampers and corresponding control gains obtained during mathematical simulation is assigned to the structure and the controller. The structure is subjected to scaled ground excitations and tested for different configurations of 1, 2, and 3 MR dampers with optimal control gains assigned based on proposed control strategies. Furthermore, the application of the proposed integrated controller on a benchmark structure has been discussed.