Challenge:
Design a control system to dampen the vibrations in a building-like structure.

Description:
This experiment is similar in nature to Active Mass Dampers used to suppress vibrations in tall structures to protect against earthquakes and wind. A tall building-like structure is instrumented with an accelerometer to measure the acceleration of the “roof” relative to earth. The structure is flexible along its facade. A cart driven by a rack and pinion mechanism is mounted at the top of the structure and is free to move along in the same direction as the structure.
The aim is to design a feedback controller that measures the cart position and the acceleration of the “roof” to dampen the vibrations of the structure effectively. The system is supplied with a state feedback controller. You may design any other controller you wish.

Difficulty:
Undergraduate – second course / Graduate / Project / Research

Challenge:
Design a control system to dampen the vibrations in a building-like structure using a MIMO approach

Description:
This advanced active mass damping experiment is useful to study the benefits of employing individual AMD’s on each floor as opposed to the classical approach of using a single AMD on top of a building. A tall building-like structure consisting of two floors is instrumented with an accelerometer on each floor to measure their acceleration. The structure is flexible along its facade. Two carts, each driven via a rack and pinion mechanism are mounted, one on each.
The goal is to design a feedback controller that measures the cart positions and the accelerations of the “floors” to dampen the vibrations of the structure effectively. The system is supplied with a state feedback controller. You may design any other controller you wish.

Difficulty:
Undergraduate – second course / Graduate / Project / Research

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