SMART STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS FOR EXPOSED TO EXTERNAL DISTURBANCES - CONCEPT AND TECHNOLOGY

摘要

Construction of control systems for buildings structures is difficult due to many unknown variables, such as the structure type, material, site condition, and the temporal deterioration of the structural performance. These problems can be overcome by developing smart structural systems. A smart structural system is not merely a control system that adds intelligent functions, but also functions as a sensor, date processor, actuator, and expression for external disturbances. Incorporating genetic algorithms into response-control systems will make the self-organization of control systems and their organic optimization economically feasible in the near future. Characteristics of fuzzy-theory algorithms can be merged with genetic algorithms by selecting or improving the rules of fuzzy theory. Consequently, introducing smart structural systems into buildings is practical only when coupled with the development of smart materials, such as piezoelectric and glass fiber materials. Structural interpretation of the aspects of artificial life will coincide with the development of technology related to each aspect. In this paper, we first review the classification and characteristics of structural response-control systems. We then summarize the classifications of the control principles, and the required performance characteristics of control systems. To demonstrate how the fundamental performance of piezoelectric materials can be incorporated into smart material systems, we made vibration tests of scaled cantilevered beam and portal frame. The results of vibration tests confirmed the validity of the control effect of the response-control system and demonstrated the possibility of classifying the fundamental performance of piezoelectric materials when used as actuators, sensors, and dampers. Finally we speculate on the general concept and the prospects of using smart material systems in active-response control systems.