A Benchmark Problem For Response Control of Wind-Excited Tall Buildings

Objectives of Benchmark Problem on Structural Control

Structural control systems, such as passive dampers, tuned mass dampers, active/hybrid and semi-active control systems, have been widely accepted as effective means for protection of civil engineering structures against earthquakes and wind loads. While many structural control devices and control algorithms have been proposed for such applications, a systematic study to investigate advantages and disadvantages of these devices and algorithms is yet to be conducted. The objectives of benchmark studies are to make direct comparisons between performance of devices and algorithms using a particular benchmark structure, a set of external excitations and a set of performance criteria. Such studies are important for successful development of structural control devices and algorithms, and resolve issues that are critical in practical applications of structural control systems.

In this regard, the following two generations of benchmark problems have been proposed and investigated.

1. The first generation of benchmark problem consisted of two benchmark structures, both scale models of a three-story building, employing an active mass driver (AMD) controller (in the Structural Dynamics and Control / Earthquake Engineering Laboratory (SDC/EEL) at the University of Notre Dame); and an active tendon controller (at the National Center for Earthquake Engineering Research (NCEER) in Buffalo, New York). These benchmark problems were proposed to investigate the effectiveness of structural control devices and algorithms for protection against earthquakes. Detailed information about these benchmark problems can be found at http://www.nd.edu/~quake/.

2. The second generation of benchmark problem consists of Earthquake-Excited 20-Story Building (http://www.nd.edu/~quake/) and a 76-story concrete tower, proposed for construction in Melbourne, Australia.  A tuned mass damper (TMD) is installed on the top floor of the building.  A sample problem using LQG control theory is presented to demonstrated the effectiveness of the performance of the active tuned mass damper (ATMD) in reducing wind-induced dynamic excitations.  However, the designer has the flexibility to choose a different type of device (e.g., active mass driver (AMD), passive dampers, semi-active control devices, etc.).  A paper about the detailed development of the benchmark 76-story wind-excited building is available for download from this site.

3. In the third generation of benchmark problem for response control of  wind-excited tall buildings, wind tunnel testing has been conducted on a scaled model of the benchmark problem building to experimentally measure along and across wind loading time histories.  Based on the experimentally measured loading time-histories, the second generation benchmark problem has been reformulated to include performance criteria using peak and temporal rms values of response, control force and control power.  A detailed information about the package, including Matlab based computer programs, wind load time histories and the benchmark paper is available for download from this site.  Please click on the benchmark problem button to further information.

    Please feel free to contact us if you are interested in participating in the benchmark study or if you encounter any problem in downloading the data.

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