On the efficiency of semi‐active smart structures: self‐regulating MR dampers control system for tall buildings

Many severe dynamical loadings such as earthquakes and strong winds may subject to structural systems during their lifetime and lead to changes in structural characteristics. Hence, employing an adaptive control strategy that can deal with these alterations compound with design of the structural elements would undoubtedly be the most effective alternative design for the old‐fashioned design methods, which are relatively inefficient in response to these unforeseen conditions. In the current study, benefits of employing the modern control systems for design of tall buildings in comparison with the uncontrolled traditionally designed structures are thoroughly investigated. To contract the vibrational responses due to seismic excitations, the innovative direct‐modulating semi‐active controller is designed for magneto‐rheological dampers, which are installed in an 11‐storey sample building converting it to a smart structure. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.