Optimal actuators placements for the active control of flexible structures

Abstract A scheme for the optimal spatial placement of a limited number of sensors and actuators under a minimum energy requirement for the active control of flexible structures is proposed. The method is based on the interpretation of the functional relationship (transfer matrix/conrol influence matrix) between the actuators and modes of the structural system. It is shown that, from the form of the matrix, the controllability and observability of the system with respect to differing locations of the sensors and actuators can be established. The algorithm presented circumvents prevailing problems encountered in contemporary optimal control applications. In particular, and in order to enhance the results presented in this paper, numerical simulation for a prismatic beam subjected to horizontal random wind loads and a simply supported square plate modelled as a single degree of freedom system are given to illustrate the placement strategy.