Regional-Based Control Algorithms Using Early Warning Information for Seismic Protection of a Highway Bridge

Abstract eng:
The possible exploitation of a seismic early warning system (SEWS) in the framework of semi-active (SA) structural control using magnetorheological (MR) dampers has been investigated by authors in the last years. The main idea consists in changing the MR damper behaviour according to the forecasted intensity (expressed in terms of peak ground acceleration, PGA) of an incoming earthquake provided by the SEWS to obtain the higher seismic demand reduction for the hosting structure. In other words, a “smart passive” use of MR dampers driven by a SEWS information has been promoted. The present paper focuses on the control algorithm needed to select the optimal voltage uc to set the variable devices according to the PGA estimate. The authors found that the different characteristics of earthquakes that occur in different sites, as frequency content, duration and magnitude, could play a significant role in the definition of the best control algorithm. For this reason, these aspects are considered by generating regional-based control algorithms. Different uc(PGA) logics have been built for three selected worldwide regions (Japan, California and Italy) on the basis of the results of several dynamic simulations performed using natural earthquakes recorded in each of these area. The effectiveness of the proposed control algorithms has been checked with reference to a case-study: a prestressed concrete highway bridge.

• Export as: BibTeX | MARC | MARCXML | DC | EndNote | NLM | RefWorks
• Add to your basket