Loop shaping control of a model-story building using smart materials

This research concerns active vibration control of a two-story model structural frame by using the method of loop shaping. Piezoceramic smart materials, in particular the PZT (Lead Zirconate Titanate) in the form of patches, are surface-bonded on the structure and function as actuators and sensors. Sensitivity charts are introduced to assist the control system design. A nonparametric system identification is performed to obtain the frequency response function of the model building. A loop-shaped controller is designed using sensitivity charts. The effectiveness of the designed controller is demonstrated by shaker table tests where data from four earthquakes is used for excitation of the structure. The experimental results clearly show that the loop shaping based controller reduces the vibrations experienced by the structure during seismic activities.