Control of seismically excited vibration using electrorheological materials and Lyapunov methods

Describes the use of electrorheological (ER) materials in a vibration control system designed to suppress earthquake-excited vibrations. A state-variable model for the ER device is based on micromechanical simulations and rheometric measurements of ER materials. A decentralized bang-bang control law is synthesized using Lyapunov's direct method and is implemented using analog circuitry. The behavior of the closed-loop system is illustrated on a small scale (1:15) building model driven by ground accelerations. The combined effects and relative importance of the controllable stiffness and damping properties of ER materials are examined.