Hybrid actuator–damper–bracing control (HDABC) system with intelligent strategy and soil–structure interaction

The hybrid actuator–damper–bracing control (HDABC) system is composed of visco-elastic dampers and hydraulic actuators as the passive and active controllers, respectively, which are installed on the brace and connected to the building floor. The intelligent control strategy is designed to maximally utilize the passive damper and to minimally utilize the active energy. Thus, the passive controller of the hybrid system is designed for small and moderate earthquakes and the active controller works for large earthquakes, whenever the structural response exceeds the threshold values. The hybrid control system with this strategy is studied under existing earthquake records and the ground motions generated considering the tectonic movements of seismic plates; the influence of soil–structure interaction (SSI) on the control effectiveness is investigated. Based on analyses of single-story and six-story structures, it is concluded that the intelligent strategy is effective for the hybrid control, and SSI needs to be included in the design of the intelligent hybrid system as well as other types of control for buildings on soft soil.