Active Control of Human-Induced Vibration
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Sheffield
Department Name: Civil and Structural Engineering
Abstract
The design of floor structures supporting human occupants is increasingly being governed by vibration serviceability criteria. This is a result of increasing slenderness of modern floor systems and the trend for fewer partitions and other non-structural elements that otherwise would provide damping. At the same time, demands for better vibration performance are increasing. Occupants of high quality commercial, residential and hospital buildings will complain when excessive levels of vibration are felt. Also, many new items of scientific, healthcare and manufacturing equipment are sensitive to even very low levels of vibration and the structures that support them must be designed to ensure an appropriate vibration environment.To address these issues, the proposed research will investigate the use of active vibration control (AVC) to improve the vibration performance of floor structures under human-induced loading. This technology has already been shown by the PI to be feasible but it requires substantial further research to be established as a practical option for structural engineers and building developers. Hence, the key aims of the proposed research are:- To identify and develop control strategies suitable for active control of human-induced vibrations in floors and to evaluate improvements in floor vibration performance through simulations, laboratory testing and field installation. A full spectrum of complexity will be investigated, ranging from simple single-input-single-output collocated systems to much more complex adaptive model-based systems using multiple sensors and actuators.- To develop inertial actuation technology appropriate for AVC on floor structures, and hence to demonstrate that an AVC system can be `packaged' to be affordable, compact, robust and reliable. These are key technological hurdles that must be addressed if the benefits of AVC systems are to be realised in the highly commercial civil engineering sector.
Publications
Philp, R
(2011)
Semi-Active Control of Staircase Vibration Under Human Excitation
in Semi-Active Control of Staircase Vibration Under Human Excitation
Paul Reynolds (Author)
(2011)
Reliability of Assessment Criteria for Office Floor Vibrations
Malcolm Hudson (Author)
(2013)
Power Requirements for Active Control of Floor Vibrations
Malcolm Hudson (Author)
(2013)
Potential Benefits of Incorporating Active Vibration Control in Floor Structures
in Structural Engineer
Díaz I
(2010)
On-off nonlinear active control of floor vibrations
in Mechanical Systems and Signal Processing
Donald Nyawako (Author)
(2011)
Investigating PID Controllers for Mitigation of Human Induced Floor Vibrations
Díaz I
(2012)
Integral resonant control scheme for cancelling human-induced vibrations in light-weight pedestrian structures
in Structural Control and Health Monitoring
Donald Nyawako (Author)
(2011)
Independent Modal Space Control Technique for Mitigation of Human-Induced Vibrations in Floors
Hudson M
(2012)
Implementation considerations for active vibration control in the design of floor structures
in Engineering Structures
Paul Reynolds (Author)
(2013)
Findings with AVC Design for Mitigation of Human Induced Vibrations in Office Floors
Donald Nyawako (Author)
(2013)
Findings With AVC Design for Mitigation of Human Induced Vibrations in O ffice Floors
Donald Nyawako (Author)
(2012)
Exploring Efficiencies of SISO, Multi-SISO and MIMO AVC Schemes for Floor Vibration Control
Donald Nyawako (Author)
(2011)
Enhancing Velocity Feedback Scheme with Inner Loop Compensators for the Actuators
Díaz I
(2012)
Enhancing active vibration control of pedestrian structures using inertial actuators with local feedback control
in Engineering Structures
Malcolm Hudson (Author)
(2011)
Effi cient Design of Floor Structures Using Active Vibration Control
Hudson E
(2016)
Dynamics of Coupled Structures, Volume 4
Ubaid U
(2015)
Design of remotely located and multi-loop vibration controllers using a sequential loop closing approach
in Control Engineering Practice
Hudson E
(2016)
Design and Construction of a Reconfigurable Pedestrian Structure
in Experimental Techniques
Emma Hudson (Author)
(2014)
Active Vibration Control of a Multi-Panel Floor Area
Díaz I
(2010)
Acceleration feedback control of human-induced floor vibrations
in Engineering Structures
Reynolds P
(2012)
A framework for advanced methods of control of human-induced vibrations
| Description | Technologies for active control of human-induced vibrations. Good effectiveness of technology demonstrated, together with potential environmental benefits through reduced material usage. |
| Exploitation Route | Commercial products |
| Sectors | Construction |
| Description | Active vibration control was implemented on a major scale at a conference venue in the USA in a $2M project - the first installation of its kind worldwide. We are in discussions with two other industrial partners about implementation of the technology on other structures. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2012 |
| Sector | Construction |
| Impact Types | Economic |
| Description | Corresponding member of the IStructE/DCLG/DCMS Working Group on the "Dynamic Performance and Design of Stadia Structures and Seating Decks |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| Impact | This working group developed the IStructE guidance that is currently used for design and assessment of stadium structures under dynamic loading from crowds. |
| Description | Founder member and current vice-chair of NAFEMS Dynamics and Testing Group, which originated from the former UK Dynamic Testing Agency. |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| Description | Founder member and vice chair of NAFEMS Dynamics and Testing Working Group |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
| Impact | Training of engineering workforce in state-of-the-art vibration analysis techniques. |
| Description | Member of BSI technical committee GMI 21/6/4 |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Membership of a guideline committee |
| Impact | Development of guidance used by those assessing whole-body vibration effects in buildings, including civil engineers, acoustics specialists, etc. |
| Company Name | Full Scale Dynamics Limited |
| Description | Technical services related to analysis, testing, monitoring of vibration performance and vibration control of large civil engineering structures. |
| Year Established | 2008 |
| Impact | Over £200k annual turnover, resulting in more than 100 applied research and consultancy contracts worth over £2.0m awarded since 2000. Providing consulting and applied research services to over 80 blue chip companies in the UK and overseas, many of which are returning customers. |
| Website | http://fullscaledynamics.com/ |