• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.219-233
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• 2014

In a companion paper, Pasala and Nagarajaiah analytically and experimentally validate the Adaptive Length Pendulum Smart Tuned Mass Damper (ALP-STMD) on a primary structure (2 story steel structure) whose frequencies are time invariant (Pasala and Nagarajaiah 2012). In this paper, the ALP-STMD effectiveness on a primary structure whose frequencies are time varying is studied experimentally. This study experimentally validates the ability of an ALP-STMD to adequately control a structural system in the presence of real time changes in primary stiffness that are detected by a real time observer based system identification. The experiments implement the newly developed Adaptive Length Pendulum Smart Tuned Mass Damper (ALP-STMD) which was first introduced and developed by Nagarajaiah (2009), Nagarajaiah and Pasala (2010) and Nagarajaiah et al. (2010). The ALP-STMD employs a mass pendulum of variable length which can be tuned in real time to the parameters of the system using sensor feedback. The tuning action is made possible by applying a current to a shape memory alloy wire changing the effective length that supports the damper mass assembly in real time. Once a stiffness change in the structural system is detected by an open loop observer, the ALP-STMD is re-tuned to the modified system parameters which successfully reduce the response of the primary system. Significant performance improvement is illustrated for the stiffness modified system, which undergoes the re-tuning adaptation, when compared to the stiffness modified system without adaptive re-tuning.

• Wind and Structures
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.113-131
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• 2011

Excessive wind-induced motion in tall buildings can cause discomfort, affect health, and disrupt the daily activities of the occupants of a building. Dynamic vibration absorbers such as the tuned mass dampers (TMDs) can be used to reduce the wind-induced motion below a specified tolerable serviceability limit state (SLS) criterion. This study investigates whether the same probability of not exceeding specified wind-induced motion levels can be achieved by torsionally sensitive structures without/with linear/nonlinear TMDs subjected to partially correlated wind forces, if they are designed to just meet the same SLS criterion. For the analyses, different structures and the uncertainty in the response, wind load and perception of motion is considered. Numerical results indicate that for structures that are designed or retrofitted without or with optimum linear TMDs and satisfying the same SLS criterion, their probability of exceeding the considered criterion is very consistent, if the inherent correlation between the wind forces is considered in design. However, this consistency deteriorates if nonlinear TMDs are employed. Furthermore, if the correlation is ignored in the design, in many cases a slightly unconservative design, as compared to the designed by considering correlation, is achieved.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.257-280
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• 2014

In this paper, a novel PARAllel FACtor (PARAFAC) decomposition based Blind Source Separation (BSS) algorithm is proposed for modal identification of structures equipped with tuned mass dampers. Tuned mass dampers (TMDs) are extremely effective vibration absorbers in tall flexible structures, but prone to get de-tuned due to accidental changes in structural properties, alteration in operating conditions, and incorrect design forecasts. Presence of closely spaced modes in structures coupled with TMDs renders output-only modal identification difficult. Over the last decade, second-order BSS algorithms have shown significant promise in the area of ambient modal identification. These methods employ joint diagonalization of covariance matrices of measurements to estimate the mixing matrix (mode shape coefficients) and sources (modal responses). Recently, PARAFAC BSS model has evolved as a powerful multi-linear algebra tool for decomposing an $n^{th}$ order tensor into a number of rank-1 tensors. This method is utilized in the context of modal identification in the present study. Covariance matrices of measurements at several lags are used to form a $3^{rd}$ order tensor and then PARAFAC decomposition is employed to obtain the desired number of components, comprising of modal responses and the mixing matrix. The strong uniqueness properties of PARAFAC models enable direct source separation with fine spectral resolution even in cases where the number of sensor observations is less compared to the number of target modes, i.e., the underdetermined case. This capability is exploited to separate closely spaced modes of the TMDs using partial measurements, and subsequently to estimate modal parameters. The proposed method is validated using extensive numerical studies comprising of multi-degree-of-freedom simulation models equipped with TMDs, as well as with an experimental set-up.

• Wind and Structures
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• v.6 no.5
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• pp.387-402
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• 2003

In the past decades, much effort has been made towards the study of single-mode-based vibration controls with dynamic energy absorbers such as single or multiple Tuned Mass Dampers(TMDs). With the increase of bridge span length and the tendency of the bridge cross-section being more slender and streamlined, multi-mode coupled vibrations as well as their controls have become very important for large bridges susceptible to strong winds. As a simple but effective device, the TMD system especially the semi-active one has become a promising option for such coupled vibration controls. However, despite various studies of optimal controls of single-mode-based vibrations with TMDs, research on the corresponding controls of the multi-mode coupled vibrations is very rare so far. For the development of a semi-active control strategy to suppress the multi-mode coupled vibrations, a comprehensive parametric analysis on the optimal variables of this control is substantial. In the present study, a multi-mode control strategy named "three-row" TMD system is discussed and the general numerical equations are developed at first. Then a parametric study on the optimal control variables for the "three-row" TMD system is conducted for a prototype Humen Suspension Bridge, through which some useful information and a better understanding of the optimal control variables to suppress the coupled vibrations are obtained. This information lays a foundation for the design of semi-active control.