Smart structures embedded with MR dampers using non-Affine Fuzzy Control

A five-storey building model is equipped with a pair of MR (magneto-rheological) dampers installed at the last floor. This smart structure is imposed to scaled earthquake records (in this case, El-Centro earthquake). Actuators are installed on the fourth storey where a Fuzzy Logic Controller is used to deal with the non-Affine nonlinear dynamics encountered. The aim of this work is to mitigate the structure's vibration due to external excitations via the Fuzzy Logic Controller and the MR damper installed. In the end, the controlled case (structure equipped with MR dampers and Fuzzy Logic Controller) is compared with the uncontrolled case. Simulation results show considerable reductions of the seismic vibration of the structure while the damper current applied is within its working range. © 2013 Taylor & Francis Group