| Abstract: | A control strategy for semi-active friction devices leading to efficient hysteretic dissipaters is proposed. The control algorithm makes the contact force between the sliding surfaces of the damper proportional to the absolute value of the prior local peak of the damper deformation. This control logic leads to a non-linear force–deformation relation that satisfies homogeneity of degree one; this means that, like in a linear viscoelastic damping model, when the deformation is scaled by a constant, the force results are scaled by the same constant. The closed-loop system shows rectangular hysteresis loops which enclose an area proportional to the square of the deformation of the damper. Some characteristics of the dynamic response of structures incorporating this type of semi-active damper are investigated. It is demonstrated that in the case of single-degree-of-freedom models, the period of vibration and decay ratio are independent of the amplitude of vibration. In the case of multi-degree-of-freedom models with this type of nonlinearity, the free-vibration response can exhibit natural modes of vibration. A linearization method is proposed and modelling tools for the delay associated with actuator dynamics and for the flexibility of the brace connecting the damper to the structure are presented. © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. |
