Abstract

GROBBELAAR, B. J.; WOOD, G. D.  and  CONSTANCON, C. P.. Application of Modal Control to Flexible Structures. R&D j. (Matieland, Online) [online]. 1992, vol.8, pp.18-24. ISSN 2309-8988.

The application of a classical control technique to a cantilevered beam has been considered. A model of the beam was developed using experimental modal analysis. This model was applied to develop a velocity feedback control law to control the first three modes of vibration of the beam. The importance of modal coupling in a continuous system is demonstrated by theoretical evaluation of the control law for an initial tip deflection, where it is demonstrated that neglect of the coupling degrades the controller performance. The performance of the velocity feedback control law in controlling flow induced flutter is then experimentally evaluated in a wind tunnel test. The control law, while simple, is shown to reduce the energy of vibration of the beam, in its first mode, by nearly 150 times indicating that classical feedback control on flexible structures can be very effective.

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