Building Control Using MR-Dampers: Centralized versus Decentralized Control

This paper presents the structural control results of shaking table tests for a steel frame structure in order to evaluate the performance of a number of proposed semi-active control algorithms using multiple magnetorheological (MR) dampers. The test structure is a six-story steel frame equipped with MR-dampers on the 1^st, 3^rd and 5^th floors. In experimental tests, an EL Centro earthquake, a Kobe earthquake and a Chi-Chi earthquake (station TCU067) are used as ground excitations. Various control algorithms are used for this semi-active control studies, including the Decentralized Sliding Mode Control (DSMC), LQR control and passive-on and passive-off control. Each algorithm is formulated specifically for the use of MR-dampers. The performance of each algorithm is evaluated based on the results of shaking table tests, and the advantages of each algorithm is compared and discussed. The reduction of the story drift and acceleration throughout the structure is examined.