Earthquake-Resilient Structural Control Using PSO-Based Fractional Order Controllers

Seismic-induced vibration mitigation in multi-degree-of-freedom (MDOF) building structures calls for efficient and adaptive control strategies. Fractional-order PIλDμ controllers allow increased flexibility in tuning when compared with the conventional proportional integral derivative (PID) controllers. However, considering highly dynamic seismic conditions, selecting their optimal parameters remains challenging. A Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO)-based fractional order controller approach is presented in this paper for the optimal tuning of five key parameters of the PIλDμ controller using a two-story building model subjected to the 1940 El Centro earthquake. The controller structure is formulated using fractional-order calculus, while PSO is utilized to determine optimal gains and fractional orders without prior knowledge about the model. Simulation results indicate that the proposed fractional order proportional integral derivative (FOPID) controller is effective in suppressing structural vibrations, outperforming both classical PID control and the uncontrolled case. It is demonstrated that incorporating intelligent optimization techniques along with fractional-order control can be a promising approach toward enhancing seismic resilience in civil structures.