Structural control technology: system identification and control of flexible structures

The main trend in structural technology is to change from conventional earthquake resistant structures, which are designed ´not to collapse even under the strongest earthquake´ to structural controlled buildings, which are designed ´to suppress the vibrations itself´. Indications are that control methods will be able to make a genuine contribution to this problem area, which is of great economic and social importance. Current researches in the field of active structural control focus on: system identification, model order reduction, limited control authority, available measurements etc. The article reviews some of the developments in the area of controlled civil structures and highlights a robust control perspective in active vibration suppression control of flexible structures, considering a grey box approach in the system identification process.