Dynamic Load Simulator: Actuation Strategies and Applications

The development of a multiple-actuator dynamic load simulator (DLS), for the simulation of correlated dynamic loads on small-scale structural components and substructures, or on bench-scale system assemblage, is presented. Conceptually, the DLS employs actuators to simulate a desired dynamic loading environment due to wind, waves, or earthquakes, which in special cases may serve as a replacement for conventional facilities such as wind tunnels, wave tanks, and shaking tables. The actuation strategy of the DLS is based on force-control rather than the customary motion control (displacement/velocity) scheme. The load simulator is ideal for structural components and for systems that can be idealized as lumped mass systems. An actuation strategy for the DLS based on an innovative scheme that utilizes the coupled control system is developed. For implementation of this scheme, the nonlinear control system toolbox in MATLAB is used. In this scheme, the tuning of control parameters in the time domain is carried out by solving a constrained optimization problem. A suite of loading protocols that includes sinusoidal, 2-point correlated fluctuations in wind loading, earthquake induced loading and loads characterized by strong non-Gaussian features is simulated by employing the control scheme introduced here. The load simulation examples presented here demonstrate that the loading time histories generated by utilizing the DLS matched the target values with high fidelity.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/07339399
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Abstract reprinted with permission from ASCE
• Authors:
  • Yalla, Swaroop K
  • Kareem, Ahsan
• Publication Date: 2007-8

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; References;
• Pagination: pp 855-863
• Serial:
  • Journal of Engineering Mechanics
  • Volume: 133
  • Issue Number: 8
  • Publisher: American Society of Civil Engineers
  • ISSN: 0733-9399
  • EISSN: 1943-7889
  • Serial URL: http://ascelibrary.org/journal/jenmdt

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Dynamic loads; Dynamic structural analysis; Earthquake resistant design; Earthquake resistant structures; Feedback control; Seismicity; Simulation
• Identifier Terms: MATLAB (Computer program)
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Design; Highways; I24: Design of Bridges and Retaining Walls;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01055354
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Aug 20 2007 4:07PM