Fabrication and Control of Multilayered Superlattice Smart Structures.

Abstract : This report outlines some of the structural identification and robust control methods developed for smart structural systems. A simple procedure for the shape optimization of distributed sensors is developed. The outputs of these spatially distributed sensors are utilized for the implementation of optimal controllers on the smart structural systems. A structural identification technique is developed by utilizing the multiple parametric measurements provided by the shaped PVDF film sensors. This method generates a minimal state variable representation of the structural system. The outputs of the state variable model are measured by using the distributed sensors. A variety of robust controllers were designed and implemented on the smart structural systems. In this study we have investigated the design of robust controllers by incorporating the performance requirements, robustness against the system uncertainties and the control effort constraints. The robustness properties of the controllers have been verified experimentally.