Control techniques for structural testing: a review

Dynamic testing of structures and components in the laboratory to determine their mechanical properties is an essential part of engineering research and development. Test apparatus of increasing sophistication has been designed over the past few decades to replicate real-world forces and motions within the laboratory environment. Accurate control of actuators is vital to the effectiveness of such apparatus, and a variety of closed- and open-loop control algorithms has been developed to address this need. The present paper reviews algorithms that are currently used in the testing industry, as well as those which are the subject of academic and industrial research. The techniques are presented in an analytical framework. As both the required forces and frequency range are often high, electrohydraulic actuation is typically used, and discussion is restricted to this area. Most examples are from the automotive industry or civil engineering field.