Smart Structures and Systems

Volume 12, Number 6, 2013, pages 641-659

DOI: 10.12989/sss.2013.12.6.641

Robust optimization of a hybrid control system for wind-exposed tall buildings with uncertain mass distribution

Ilaria Venanzi and Annibale Luigi Materazzi

Abstract

In this paper is studied the influence of the uncertain mass distribution over the floors on the choice of the optimal parameters of a hybrid control system for tall buildings subjected to wind load. In particular, an optimization procedure is developed for the robust design of a hybrid control system that is based on an enhanced Monte Carlo simulation technique and the genetic algorithm. The large computational effort inherent in the use of a MC-based procedure is reduced by the employment of the Latin Hypercube Sampling. With reference to a tall building modeled as a multi degrees of freedom system, several numerical analyses are carried out varying the parameters influencing the floors\' masses, like the coefficient of variation of the distribution and the correlation between the floors\' masses. The procedure allows to obtain optimal designs of the control system that are robust with respect to the uncertainties on the distribution of the dead and live loads.

Key Words

robust optimization; Monte Carlo simulation; latin hypercube sampling; active tuned mass dampers; tall buildings; wind load

Address

Ilaria Venanzi and Annibale Luigi Materazzi : Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy