Gray box identification of flexible structures: application to robust active vibration suppression control

The paper deals with gray box identification of flexible structures and active vibration suppression from a robust control perspective. First, the linearized mathematical model of an N-storey flexible structure is presented. Next, the generalized mathematical model is particularized for the investigated three-storey flexible structure. The considered flexible structure is identified based on black box and gray box identification methods and the model's parametric uncertainties are deduced. Furthermore, control constraints are presented for the design problem, in case of velocity as well as acceleration feedback, from a robust control perspective. Finally, the effectiveness of the control system is tested through experiments, when the input disturbance is assumed to be a sinusoidal one as well as a historical earthquake record (1940 El Centro record). Copyright (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.