Semiactive control using MR dampers of a frame structure under seismic excitation

The paper approaches the multifaceted task of semiactively controlling the seismic response of a prototypal building model, through interstorey bracings embedding magnetorheological dampers. The control strategy is based on a synthetic discrete model, purposely formulated in a reduced space of significant dynamic variables, and consistently updated to match the modal properties identified from the experimental response of the modeled physical structure. The occurrence of a known eccentricity in the mass distribution, breaking the structural symmetry, is also considered. The dissipative action of two magnetorheological dampers is governed by a clipped-optimal control strategy. The dampers are positioned in order to deliver two eccentric and independent forces, acting on the first-storey displacements. This set-up allows the mitigation of the three-dimensional motion arising when monodirectional ground motion is imposed on the non-symmetric structure. Numerical investigations on the model response to natural accelerograms are presented. The effectiveness of the control strategy is discussed through synthetic performance indexes