Experimental realisation of active control of a five storey building model using SMA actuators

Using Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) for active control of structures has always been attractive t< structural control research community because of its capability to produce relatively large control forces. Th unique nature of SMA makes it a potential candidate for civil engineering control applications where traditionall; large control forces at a low frequency bandwidth are required. This paper investigates the feasibility of usini SMA actuators in the active control of a building model, focusing on the experimental realisation of activ control using SMA. The structural model used for the study is a five storey building model. The Linear Quadrati Regulator (LQR) is used in the control design. The characteristics of SMA actuator are experimentally identifiei and incorporated into the control strategy using a first order model. Numerical simulations were also performei prior to experimental work.