Optimal Active Vibration Control of Tensegrity Structures Using Fast Model Predictive Control Strategy

Abstract

Active vibration control of tensegrity structures is often challenging due to the geometrical nonlinearity, assemblage uncertainties of connections, and actuator saturation of controllers. To tackle these technical difficulties, a fast model predictive control (FMPC) strategy is herein implemented to effectively mitigate the structural vibration. Specifically, based on the explicit expression form of the Newmark-β method, the computation of the matrix exponential is avoided and replaced by one online and two offline transient analyses at each sampling instant on the structure, and the optimal control input is attainted from the second-order dynamic equation without forming an expanded state-space equation. Meanwhile, the artificial fish swarm algorithm (AFSA) is embedded to automatically derive optimal arrangement of actuators with the selection of a reasonable objective function. Two illustrative examples, including two standard and clustered tensegrity beams and a clustered tensegrity tower, have been fully investigated. The outcomes from illustrative examples prove the effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed method in optimal active vibration control of tensegrity structures, implying a promising prospect of the investigated approach in analyzing and solving relevant engineering problems.