Smart bridge dampers (SBD)

Author

Patten, W.N. ; Sun, J. ; Zeng, Annie

Author_Institution

Center for Struct. Control, Oklahoma Univ., Norman, OK, USA

Volume

2

fYear

1999

fDate

2-4 Jun 1999

Firstpage

1002

Abstract

A program of research has been conducted by the Center for Structural Control (CSC) at the University of Oklahoma to extend the service life of highway bridges, by retrofitting them with computer-controlled hydraulic stiffeners. The system consists of a moment producing assembly that bolts on to an existing bridge. The heart of the SBD system is a special hydraulic actuator that is outfitted with a motor controlled valve. The valve position is regulated to provide appropriate amounts of stiffness and damping to the bridge in order to minimize the stress caused by heavy trucks. Lyapunov´s second method was used to synthesize a control law. A simulation, using a simple pin-pin bridge, demonstrates the advantages of the new technology. The results indicate that the SBD system can reduce maximum stress by as much as 65%; thus, adding many years of additional service life to the bridge

Keywords

Lyapunov methods; actuators; control system synthesis; damping; feedback; finite element analysis; hydraulic control equipment; position control; structural engineering; valves; Lyapunov´s second method; computer-controlled hydraulic stiffeners; damping; highway bridges; hydraulic actuator; motor controlled valve; pin-pin bridge; service life; smart bridge dampers; stiffness; Assembly systems; Bridges; Control system synthesis; Control systems; Damping; Fasteners; Heart valves; Hydraulic actuators; Road transportation; Stress;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

American Control Conference, 1999. Proceedings of the 1999

Conference_Location

San Diego, CA

ISSN

0743-1619

Print_ISBN

0-7803-4990-3

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/ACC.1999.783191

Filename

783191