Experimental validation of semi‐active resetable actuators in a ⅕th scale test structure

The seismic performance of a test structure fitted with semi‐active resetable devices is experimentally investigated. Shaking table tests are conducted on a ?th scale four‐storey building using 27 earthquake records at different intensity scalings. Different resetable device control laws result in unique hysteretic responses from the devices and thus the structure. This device adaptability enables manipulation or sculpting of the overall hysteresis response of the structure to address specific structural cases and types. The response metrics are presented as maximum 3rd floor acceleration and displacement, and the total base shear. The devices reduce all the response metrics compared with the uncontrolled case and a fail‐safe surrogate. Cumulative probability functions allow comparison between different control laws and additionally allow tradeoffs in design to be rapidly assessed. Ease of changing the control law in real‐time during an earthquake record further improves the adaptability of the system to obtain the optimum device response for the input motion and structural type. The findings are an important step to realizing full‐scale structural control with customized semi‐active hysteretic behaviour using these novel resetable device designs. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.