Optimal structural modifications to enhance the active vibration control of flexible structures

Abstract

This study provides a method of vibration control of large space structures by simultaneously integrating the structure and control design to reduce the structural response from a disturbance. The formulation of the design scheme is obtained by the structural modification of some nominal finite element model, which is controlled in an optimal fashion by a linear regulator, to increase the active modal damping factor beyond that of the nominal structure. The structural modifications are achieved by using a nonlinear mathematical optimization technique. The objective function is the weight of the structure with a constraint on the damping parameter of the closedloop system. The application of the algorithm is illustrated by designing an ACOSS-FOUR model with different constraint values.