Distribution of actuators in vibration control of adaptive structures

Considers the placement of distributed actuators in motion control of flexible structures. By representing the system dynamics in terms of natural modes of vibration, simple conditions are developed from which degrees of controllability of individual modes for a given actuator distribution are determined. Systematic procedures for optimal placement of distributed actuators are proposed, which are extensions of the methods developed earlier for point actuators. The proposed optimality criteria for actuator distribution seek to minimise the actuator input energy under a variety of operating conditions. Minimal levels of controllability and observability of each controlled mode are. Achieved with this approach. The method is illustrated for a simply supported beam and a rectangular plate controlled by distributed actuators of various shapes.