On the dynamics and control of a guideway under a moving mass

The paper deals with the dynamics and control of lightweight guideway structures subjected to a moving load. Firstly, a continuous finite beam under a moving mass is considered. The solution is obtained in the form of a Fourier series by generalisation of an approach by Kaczkowski (1963). Critical parameters of the load, i.e. the mass and the velocity, are determined and compared with results calculated by a finite element approach and a modal transformation. Secondly, a control concept is investigated. The aim is to minimise the follower deflection under the moving mass. Using the finite element approach static control schemes, a PID–controller and a controller that uses observer techniques are introduced. Measurements are carried out on an experimental set–up for comparison.