Haruhiko Asanuma

Fuzzy Semiactive Vibration Control of Structures Using Magnetorheological Elastomer

In this research, a novel variable stiffness vibration isolator that uses magnetorheological elastomers (MREs) accompanied with a fuzzy semiactive vibration control was developed. Firstly, the viscoelastic characteristics of MREs in shear mode were clarified systematically in order to achieve a mathematical basis for the controller development. Secondly, the fuzzy semiactive vibration control with a strategy based on the Lyapunov theory and dynamic characteristic of MREs was proposed for minimizing the movement of the isolator. In the conventional semiactive algorithm, the command applied current of MRE-based isolator is set at either minimum or maximum value which causes high acceleration and jerk peaks periodically, thus leading to the degeneration of the overall system quality. However, the fuzzy semiactive algorithm presented here is able to produce the sufficient applied current and thus viscoelastic force is desirably produced. The effectiveness of the developed isolator was evaluated numerically by MATLAB simulation and experimentally in comparison with the performances of a passive system and a system with on-off type semiactive controller. The results showed that the developed controller was successful in overcoming the disadvantages of conventional on-off semiactive control.

Nonlinear restoring force of spring with stopper for ferroelectric dipole electret-based electrostatic vibration energy harvesters

Previously, we succeeded in developing a new electret [termed a ferroelectric dipole electret (FDE)] having an extremely high electric field using a polarized ferroelectric material. However, the pull-in, in which an oscillator sticks to the FDE under its strong electrostatic force, poses a problem for practical vibration energy harvesters. In this study, we propose use of nonlinear restoring force of a spring with a stopper in order to prevent pull-in for FDE-based vibration energy harvesters. The spring with a stopper was designed using a finite element method (FEM) analysis such that the restoring force of the spring will exceed the electrostatic force of the FDE. The proposed harvester combines the FDE and the spring successfully, and generated electricity without the pull-in. It also showed the highest figure of merit of output power and wide frequency band when compared with other available electret-based vibration energy harvesters.

Fuzzy Semi-Active Control of Multi-Degree-of-Freedom Structure Using Magnetorheological Elastomers

Magnetorheological elastomer (MRE), used in semi-active control, has recently emerged as a smart material that could potentially improve traditional systems in controlling structural vibrations. This study considers two main issues concerning the application of an MRE. The first issue is the modelling and identification of the viscoelastic property, and the second is the formulation of an effective control strategy based on the fuzzy logic system. Firstly, a nonlinear dynamic MRE model was developed to simulate the dynamic behavior of MRE. In this model, the viscoelastic force of the material as an output was calculated from displacement, frequency, and magnetic flux density as inputs. The MRE model consisted of three components including the viscoelasticity of host elastomer, magnetic field-induced property, and interfacial slippage that were modeled by analogy with a standard linear solid model (Zener model), a stiffness variable spring, and a smooth Coulomb friction, respectively. The model parameters were identified by manipulating two sets of data that were measured by changing applied electric current and harmonic excitation frequency. A good agreement was obtained between numerical and experimental results. The proposed model offers a beneficial solution to numerically investigate vibration control strategies. Secondly, a fuzzy semi-active controller was designed for seismic protection of building with an MRE-based isolator. The control strategy was designed to determine the command applied current. The proposed strategy is fully adequate to the nonlinearity of the isolator and works independently with the building structure. The efficiency of the proposed fuzzy semi-active controller was investigated numerically by MATLAB simulations, whose performance was compared with that of passive systems and a system with traditional semi-active controller. Numerical results show that the developed fuzzy semi-active controller not only mitigates the responses of both the base floor and the superstructure, but also has an ability to control structural vibrations adaptively to the different intensity ground motions.Copyright