Application of Magnetorheological Fluid to Semi-Active Control of Building Structures by BRI and Partners

摘要

This study was aimed at developing an application technology of magnetorhological (MR) fluid with improving the stability of MR fluid. Variable damper using MR fluid (MR damper) has been expected to control the response of building structures in recent years, because of its large force capacity and variable force characteristics. The MR damper changes the controlling force by adjusting the magnetic field with electric current, and can control the damping forces simply. The semi-active control using MR damper stabilizes the response of the building in earthquake better than the conventional passive control. Authors developed some MR dampers and conducted shaking table tests for the research to improve the performance of building structures against earthquake. A 40kN MR damper with 500mm (+/-250mm) stroke was constructed. Authors conducted a shaking table test of the three-story large-scale structure that has an isolated base using MR damper, and the effectiveness of MR damper was verified. Finally, a 400kN MR damper was constructed and installed in an actual base-isolated residential building in order to improve the performance of the building.