Approximate analysis method for displacement responses of structures with active variable stiffness systems

The performance of structures with active variable stiffness (AVS) systems exhibits strong nonlinearity due to the variety with time of the stiffness of each storey unit,in which the AVS system is installed.Hence,the classical dynamic analysis method for linear structures,such as the mode-superposition method,is not applicable to structures with AVS systems.In this paper,an approximate analysis method is proposed for displacement responses of structures with AVS systems.Firstly,an equivalent relationship between single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) structures equipped with AVS systems and so-called fictitious linear structures is established.Then,an approximate mode-superposition (AMS) method is presented for multi-degree-of-freedom (MDOF) structures equipped with AVS systems.The accuracy of this method is investigated through extensive parametrical study using different types of earthquake excitations,and some modification is made to the method. Numerical calculation results indicate that the modified AMS method is effective for estimating the maximum displacements relative to the ground and the maximum interstorey drifts of MDOF structures equipped with AVS systems.

Dynamics Analysis of Active Variable Stiffness Vibration Isolator for Whole-Spacecraft Systems Based on Nonlinear Output Frequency Response Functions

In order to improve the harsh dynamic environment experienced by heavy rockets during different external excitations,this study presents a novel active variable stiffness vibration isolator(AVS-VI)used as the vibration isolation device to reduce excessive vibration of the whole-spacecraft isolation system.The AVS-VI is composed of horizontal stiffness spring,positive stiffness spring,parallelogram linkage mechanism,piezoelectric actuator,acceleration sensor,viscoelastic damping,and PID active controller.Based on the AVS-VI,the generalized vibration transmissibility determined by the nonlinear output frequency response functions and the energy absorption rate is applied to analyze the isolation performance of the whole-spacecraft system with AVS-VI.The AVS-VI can conduct adaptive vibration suppression with variable stiffness to the whole-spacecraft system,and the analysis results indicate that the AVS-VI is efTective in reducing the extravagant vibration of the whole-spacecraft system,where the vibration isolation is decreased up to above 65%under different acceleration excitations.Finally,different parameters of AVS-VI are considered to optimize the whole-spacecraft system based on the generalized vibration transmissibility and the energy absorption rate.