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Full-Text Articles in Engineering

Self-Organizing Inputs For Adaptive Neurocontrol Of Large-Scale Systems, Simon Laflamme, Jerome J. Connor Oct 2010

Self-Organizing Inputs For Adaptive Neurocontrol Of Large-Scale Systems, Simon Laflamme, Jerome J. Connor

Simon Laflamme

Black-box modeling for system identification and control can be constrained by the geometric scale of a plant. Those constrains arise from a technical or economical issue in obtaining input-output data sets for training purposes. A solution is sequential adaptation, which must be achieved in real time in the case of control systems, because a prescribed level of performance is required while external excitations are occurring. A major challenge is the proper selection of inputs that would lead to a quick and optimal adaptation. This paper proposes a new method for selection of inputs in black-box modeling. The method, termed the …


Effects Of Damping Device Nonlinearity On The Performance Of Semiactive Tuned Mass Dampers, C Lindh, Simon Laflamme, Jerome J. Connor Jan 2010

Effects Of Damping Device Nonlinearity On The Performance Of Semiactive Tuned Mass Dampers, C Lindh, Simon Laflamme, Jerome J. Connor

Simon Laflamme

Studies have already demonstrated the successful use of linear semiactive damping devices, such as variable orifice (VO) dampers, for semiactive TMD systems. More recently, nonlinear semiactive damping devices, such as magnetorheological (MR) dampers, have also been shown to be effective for semiactive control of TMDs. Though semiactive dampers differ widely, with responses ranging from linear (VO) to nonlinear (MR), criteria for choosing an optimal semiacive device for a TMD have not been rigorously developed. This paper expands knowledge of semiactive TMD systems by assessing the effect of nonlinearity in the damping device on the effectiveness of a semiactive TMD. This …


Large-Scale Capacitance Sensor For Health Monitoring Of Civil Structures, Simon Laflamme, Matthias Kollosche, Jerome J. Connor, Guggi Kofod Jan 2010

Large-Scale Capacitance Sensor For Health Monitoring Of Civil Structures, Simon Laflamme, Matthias Kollosche, Jerome J. Connor, Guggi Kofod

Simon Laflamme

In this paper, a new type of sensing technique for damage localization on large civil structures is proposed. Specifically, changes in strain are detected using a capacitance sensor built with a soft-stretchable dielectric polymer with attached stretchable metal film electrodes. This sensor is sensitive to a change in strain that causes a change in its capacitance. Fixed to a structure, small changes in the strain can be monitored directly by measuring the change in the capacitance of the unit. This technology allows for simple yet highly accurate measurements of cracks occurring due to deformation, aging, or other structural failures. The …