Abstract. The authors propose a method of vibration control based on limiting the maximum axial forces in the active members of an adaptive truss. The actuators simulate linear elastic-perfectly plastic-linear elastic behavior and consume the vibrational energy as work. The method is applicable to both statically determinate as well as indeterminate truss structures. However, for energy efficient control of statically indeterminate trusses, extra actuators may be needed on the redundant bars. An energy formulation relating the various control parameters is derived to get an estimate of the control time. Since the simulation of linear elastic-perfectly plastic-linear elastic behavior requires a piecewise linear control law, a general analytical solution is not possible. Numerical simulation by step-by-step integration is performed to simulate the control of an example truss structure. The problems of application to statically indeterminate trusses and optimal actuator placement are identified for future work.

Print publication: Issue 2 (June 1994)