Fast Hybrid Testing of Controlled Smart Dampers for Nonlinear Structures Under Earthquakes

This paper addresses the reduction of earthquake effects on nonlinear buildings. Three large-scale 200 kN magneto-rheological (MR) fluid dampers were implemented in a three-story nonlinear building to provide protection against severe earthquakes. Clipped-optimal and Lyapunov control algorithms were adapted to control the MR dampers. Numerical and experimental investigations were executed to examine the efficacy of the proposed controllers. The George E. Brown, Jr. Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation fast hybrid testing (FHT) facility at the University of Colorado Boulder was used. Results show that the proposed controllers were successfully applied in real-time FHT simulations and can enhance the response reduction. In addition, a dissipativity analysis is carried out to further understand the performance characteristics of the semi-active control strategy.