Smart Damping Technologies for Dynamic Hazard Mitigation

In recent years, considerable attention has been paid to research and development of structural control devices, with particular emphasis on alleviation of wind and seismic response of buildings and bridges. In both areas, serious efforts have been undertaken to develop the structural control concept into a workable technology. To date, full-scale active and hybrid control systems have been designed and installed in approximately 40 commercial buildings and 15 bridges (during construction). Yet the engineering community is reluctant to fully embrace this new technology. Demonstrated cost-effectiveness and reliability are key considerations for acceptance and successful implementation of structural control. Because of their low power requirements and fail-safe character, smart damping strategies appear quite attractive in this regard. The focus of this paper will be to review a number of smart damping approaches that have been proposed and implemented in full-scale structures.