Active model reference vibration control of a flexible beam with surface-bonded PZT sensor and actuator

This paper presents the design and implementation of a robust model reference controller (RMRC) for active vibration suppression of a flexible structure, a cantilevered beam. The flexible beam is an aluminum beam in the cantilever configuration and is equipped with surface-bonded PZT (lead zirconate titanate) sensors/actuators. PZT is a piezoelectric material with a strong piezoelectric effect, and is a commonly used smart material. Since the fundamental vibration mode of the beam is the major concern in this paper, a linear model which represents the dominant vibration mode is developed and used as the plant model for the control design. Based on this linear model, a robust model reference controller (RMRC) is developed to suppress the beam's vibration. Vibration suppression simulations and experiments are conducted. Both results show that the proposed controller achieves effective vibration suppression of the flexible beam using PZT sensors and actuators.