"Smart Structures" - active and passive vibration control for buildings and structures - considerations and practical applications

To reduce unwanted structural vibrations, the conventional strategy is to increase the mass or stiffness of a structure. However, this strategy is often inefficient and uneconomical. Therefore, the use of intelligent measures for vibration reduction is increasing. In addition to long-established passive systems, there are also active or adaptive solutions that can adapt to the vibration state of a structure and specifically reduce the vibrations that occur in the structure. The innovation potential here lies either in the optimization of the dynamic parameters of a passive solution and the achievement of these characteristic values for all relevant load conditions, or in the implementation of a semi-active, active or hybrid vibration control. In the following, these measures will be described in more detail and illustrated by means of implementation examples (own experience and those described in the literature). The focus is on practical optimization approaches for passive systems and a description of active or adaptive systems, as well as their suitability for practical implementation. In addition to the general description and mode of operation, the selection of suitable actuators and control concepts will be considered in more detail.