Introduction To Dynamics And Control Of Flexible Structures

Introduction to Dynamics and Control of Flexible Structures

Dynamics and Control of Structures

Robots, aerospace structures, active earthquake-damping devices of tall buildings, and active sound suppression are examples of the application of structural dynamics and control methods. This book addresses the structural dynamics and control problems encountered by mechanical, civil, and control engineers. Many problems presented in this book originated in recent applications in the aerospace industry, and have been solved using the approach presented here. Dynamics analysis and controller design for flexible structures require a special approach due to the large size of structural models, and because flexible structure testing and control typically requires massive instrumentation (sensors and actuators). But the rapid development of new technologies and the increased power of computers allows for the formulation and solution of engineering problems that seemed to be unapproachable not so very long ago. The modal approach was chosen in this book. It has a long tradition in structural engineering (see, e.g., [84], [87], and [26]) and is also used in control system analysis, e.g., [93]. Its usefulness, thoroughly tested, does not need extensive justification. Both structural testing and analysis give priority to the modal representation, due to its compactness, simplicity, and explicit physical interpretation. Also, many useful structural properties are properly exposed only in modal coordinates. In this book the modal approach, preferred by structural engineers, is extended into control engineering, giving new analytical results, and narrowing the gap between structural and control analysis.

Structronic Systems: Smart Structures, Devices And Systems (In 2 Parts)

This book is concerned with electrostructural systems, particularly the interaction between the control of the structural and electrical (electronic) components. Structronics is a new emerging area with many potential applications in the design of high-performance structures, adaptive structures, high-precision systems, and micro-systems. As structures are increasingly being controlled by electronics, the problems of structural engineering can be separated less and less from those of electronic engineering and control engineering. This graduate-level book fills a gap in the literature by considering these problems while giving an overview of the current state of analysis, modelling and control for structronic systems. It is a coherent compendium written by leading experts in this new research area and gives readers a sophisticated toolbox that will allow them to tackle the modelling and control of smart structures. The inclusion of an extensive, up-to-date bibliography and index makes this volume an invaluable standard for professional reference.Because of the large number of contributions to the present volume, it has been subdivided into two parts, of which this is Part I. This book will be of interest to engineers, materials scientists, physicists and applied mathematicians.The synergistic integration of active (smart) materials, structures, sensors, actuators, and control electronics has redefined the concept of structures from a conventional passive elastic system to an active (life-like) structronic (structure + electronic) system with inherent self-sensing, diagnosis, and control capabilities. Because of its multi-disciplinary nature, the development of structronic systems has attracted researchers and scientists from many disciplines, such as structures, materials, control, electronics, mathematics, manufacturing, electromechanics, and mechanics. In practical applications, this new structronic system can be used as a component of high-performance machines or structural systems, or be an integrated structure itself performing designated function(s).Most common active (smart) materials, such as piezoelectrics, shape-memory alloys, electro- and magneto-strictive materials, and polyelectrolyte gels have been reviewed in Part I. Application examples are also provided and research issues reported on. While the first part focuses primarily on materials and structures, Part II emphasizes control applications and intelligent systems. With the information provided in this two-volume book, scientists and researchers can easily grasp the state of the art of smart materials and structronic systems, and are ready to pursue their own research and development endeavors.