Optimal Control of Accelerations in a Base-Isolated Building using Magneto-Rheological Dampers and Genetic Algorithms

This article presents a numerical study aimed at improving effectiveness of the isolation system of an actual building by adding magneto-rheological (MR) dampers that act in parallel to the existing rubber bearings (RB). The building itself is modeled with uniaxial elastic elements. Additional elements that include the RBs and the MR dampers are added at the base of the building and two different genetic algorithms are used to optimize operation of the MR dampers. Maximum acceleration and relative displacement at the top of the building are taken as the variables to be minimized. Records of destructive earthquakes are used as input. A comparison is made between the building responses with RB and the one with the additional control system.