Benchmark problems in structural control: part II-active tendon system

In a companion paper (Spencer et al.), an overview and problem definition was presented for a well‐defined benchmark structural control problem for a model building configured with an Active Mass Driver (AMD). A second benchmark problem is posed here based on a high‐fidelity analytical model of a three‐storey, tendon‐controlled structure at the National Center for Earthquake Engineering Research (NCEER). The purpose of formulating this problem is to provide another setting in which to evaluate the relative effectiveness and implementability of various structural control algorithms. To achieve a high level of realism, an evaluation model is presented in the problem definition which is derived directly from experimental data obtained for the structure. This model accurately represents the behaviour of the laboratory structure and fully incorporates actuator/sensor dynamics. As in the companion paper, the evaluation model will be considered as the real structural system. In general, controllers that are successfully implemented on the evaluation model can be expected to perform similarly in the laboratory setting. Several evaluation criteria are given, along with the associated control design constraints. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.