On-line identification of non-linear hysteretic structures using an adaptive tracking technique

System identification and damage detection based on vibration data have received considerable attention recently because of their importance to structural health monitoring. Various technical approaches have been proposed in the literature; however, the on-line identification of the changes of parameters for non-linear structures due to damages is still a challenging problem. In this paper, we propose an on-line adaptive tracking technique, based on the least-square estimation, to identify the system parameters and their changes of non-linear hysteretic structures. The method proposed is capable of tracking abrupt or slow changes of the system parameters from which the damage event and the severity of the structural damage can be detected and evaluated. Simulation results for tracking the parametric changes of non-linear hysteretic structures are presented to demonstrate the application and effectiveness of the proposed technique in detecting the structural damages.     

Sequential non-linear least-square estimation for damage identification of structures with unknown inputs and unknown outputs

The detection of structural damages real-time on-line, based on vibration data measured from sensors, is an important but challenging research topic, and it has received considerable attentions recently. Due to practical limitations, it is highly desirable to install as few sensors as possible in the structural health monitoring system, leading to incomplete measurements of structural responses and excitations. The traditional time-domain analysis techniques, such as the least-square estimation (LSE) method and the extended Kalman filter (EKF) approach, require that all the external excitations (inputs) be available, which may not be the case for most structural health monitoring systems. Recently, the adaptive sequential non-linear least-square estimate (SNLSE) method has been proposed for the on-line identification of structural damages. In this paper, we extend the SNLSE method to cover the general case with unknown (unmeasured) excitations (inputs) and unknown (unmeasured) acceleration responses (outputs) in order to reduce the number of sensors required in the structural health monitoring system, referred to as the SNLSE-UI-UO. Analytic recursive solutions for the new approach are derived and presented. The accuracy and effectiveness of the proposed approach have been demonstrated using the Phase I ASCE structural health monitoring benchmark building, a 5-degree-of-freedom non-linear hysteretic building model, and a 3-story steel frame finite-element model. Simulation results indicate that the proposed approach is capable of tracking the changes of structural parameters leading to the identification of damages.     

Real-time parameter estimation for degrading and pinching hysteretic models

Many civil and mechanical structures exhibit hysteresis with degradation and/or pinching when subject to severe cyclic loadings such as earthquakes, wind, or sea waves. The modeling and identification of non-linear hysteretic systems with degradation and pinching is therefore a practical problem encountered in the engineering mechanics field. On-line identification of degrading and pinching hysteretic systems is quite a challenging problem because of its complexity. A recently developed technique, the unscented Kalman filter (UKF) which is capable of handling any functional non-linearity, is applied to the on-line parametric system identification of hysteretic differential models with degradation and pinching. Simulation results show that the UKF is efficient and effective for the real-time state estimation and parameter identification of highly non-linear hysteretic systems with degradation and pinching.     

Identification of the state equation in complex non-linear systems

Building on the basic idea behind the Restoring Force Method for the non-parametric identification of non-linear systems, a general procedure is presented for the direct identification of the state equation of complex non-linear systems. No information about the system mass is required, and only the applied excitation(s) and resulting acceleration are needed to implement the procedure. Arbitrary non-linear phenomena spanning the range from polynomial non-linearities to the noisy Duffing-van der Pol oscillator (involving product-type non-linearities and multiple excitations) or hysteretic behavior such as the Bouc-Wen model can be handled without difficulty. In the case of polynomial-type non-linearities, the approach yields virtually exact results for sufficiently rich excitations. For other types of non-linearities, the approach yields the optimum (in least-squares sense) representation in non-parametric form of the dominant interaction forces induced by the motion of the system. Several examples involving synthetic data corresponding to a variety of highly non-linear phenomena are presented to demonstrate the utility as well as the range of validity of the proposed approach.     

Sequential non-linear least-square estimation for damage identification of structures

An early detection of structural damage is an important goal of any structural health monitoring system. In particular, the ability to detect damages on-line, based on vibration data measured from sensors, will ensure the reliability and safety of the structures. In this connection, innovative data analysis techniques for the on-line damage detection of structures have received considerable attentions recently, although the problem is quite challenging. In this paper, we proposed a new data analysis method, referred to as the sequential non-linear least-square (SNLSE) approach, for the on-line identification of structural parameters. This new approach has significant advantages over the extended Kalman filter (EKF) approach in terms of the stability and convergence of the solution as well as the computational efforts involved. Further, an adaptive tracking technique recently proposed has been implemented in the proposed SNLSE to identify the time-varying system parameters of the structure. The accuracy and effectiveness of the proposed approach have been demonstrated using the Phase I ASCE structural health monitoring benchmark building, a non-linear elastic structure and non-linear hysteretic structures. Simulation results indicate that the proposed approach is capable of tracking on-line the changes of structural parameters leading to the identification of structural damages.     

Lyapunov exponents estimation for hysteretic systems

This article discusses the Lyapunov exponent estimation of non-linear hysteretic systems by adapting the classical algorithm by Wolf and co-workers [Wolf, A., Swift, J.B., Swinney, H.L., Vastano, J.A., 1985. Determining Lyapunov exponents from a times series. Physica D 16, 285–317.]. This algorithm evaluates the divergence of nearby orbits by monitoring a reference trajectory, evaluated from the equations of motion of the original hysteretic system, and a perturbed trajectory resulting from the integration of the linearized equations of motion. The main issue of using this algorithm for non-linear, rate-independent, hysteretic systems is related to the procedure of linearization of the equations of motion. The present work establishes a procedure of linearization performing a state space split and assuming an equivalent viscous damping in order to represent hysteretic dissipation in the linearized system. The dynamical response of a single-degree of freedom pseudoelastic shape memory alloy (SMA) oscillator is discussed as an application of the proposed algorithm. The restitution force of the oscillator is provided by an SMA element described by a rate-independent, hysteretic, thermomechanical constitutive model. Two different modeling cases are considered for isothermal and non-isothermal heat transfer conditions, and numerical simulations are performed for both cases. The evaluation of the Lyapunov exponents shows that the proposed procedure is capable of quantifying chaos capturing the non-linear dissipation of hysteretic systems.     

On the effects of non-linear elements in the reliability-based optimal design of stochastic dynamical systems

The aim of the present paper is to study the effects of non-linear devices on the reliability-based optimal design of structural systems subject to stochastic excitation. One-dimensional hysteretic devices are used for modelling the non-linear system behavior while non-stationary filtered white noise processes are utilized to represent the stochastic excitation. The reliability-based optimization problem is formulated as the minimization of the expected cost of the structure for a specified failure probability. Failure is assumed to occur when any one of the output states of interest exceeds in magnitude some specified threshold level within a given time duration. Failure probabilities are approximated locally in terms of the design variables during the optimization process in a parallel computing environment. The approximations are based on a local interpolation scheme and on an efficient simulation technique. Specifically, a subset simulation scheme is adopted and integrated into the proposed optimization process. The local approximations are then used to define a series of explicit approximate optimization problems. A sensitivity analysis is performed at the final design in order to evaluate its robustness with respect to design and system parameters. Numerical examples are presented in order to illustrate the effects of hysteretic devices on the design of two structural systems subject to earthquake excitation. The obtained results indicate that the non-linear devices have a significant effect on the reliability and global performance of the structural systems.     

Indirect adaptive robust dynamic surface control in separate meter-in and separate meter-out control system

With the demand for energy efficiency in electrohydraulic servo systems (EHSS), the separate meter-in and separate meter-out (SMISMO) control system draws massive attention. In this paper, the SMISMO control system is decoupled completely into two subsystems by the proposed indirect adaptive robust dynamic surface control (IARDSC) method. Indirect adaptive robust control (IARC) is proposed to address the internal parameter uncertainties and external disturbances. Dynamic surface control (DSC) is utilized in the design procedure of IARC to deal with the inherent ‘explosion of terms’ problem. The proposed IARDSC simplifies the design procedure and decreases the computational cost of the controller. Besides, a faster parameter estimation scheme is proposed to adapt to the parameter change for a better estimation performance. Finally, experimental results show that the proposed IARDSC can achieve a good parameter estimation and trajectory tracking performance. Meanwhile, two energy saving techniques are discussed.     

Improvement of parameter estimation for non-linear hysteretic systems with slip by a fast Bayesian bootstrap filter

Modeling and identification of non-linear hysteretic systems are widely encountered in the structural dynamics field, especially for the hysteresis with slip. A model, called SL model, which can describe the pinching of most practical hysteresis loops perfectly was proposed by Baber and Noori (J. Eng. Mech. 111 (1985) 1010). A method of estimating the parameters of SL model on the basis of input-output data based on bootstrap filter was proposed by the writers. Bootstrap filter is a filtering method based on Bayesian state estimation and Monte Carlo method, which has the great advantage of being able to handle any functional non-linearity and system and/or measurement noise of any distribution. The standard bootstrap filter, however, is not time efficient, i.e., it is very time consuming and is not suitable for real-time applications. In this paper, previous work by the writers is extended to do the parameter estimation of SL model by a fast Bayesian bootstrap filtering technique. Simulation results are presented to demonstrate the performance of the algorithm.     

Development of data-based model-free representation of non-conservative dissipative systems

A general procedure is presented for developing data-based, non-parametric models of non-linear multi-degree-of-freedom, non-conservative, dissipative systems. Two broad classes of methods are discussed: one relying on the representation of the system restoring forces in a polynomial-basis format, and the other using artificial neural networks to map the complex transformations relating the system state variables to the needed system outputs. A non-linear two-degree-of-freedom system is used to formulate the approach under discussion and to generate synthetic data for calibrating the efficiency of the two methods in capturing complex non-linear phenomena (such as dry friction, hysteresis, dead-space non-linearities, and polynomial-type non-linearities) that are widely encountered in the applied mechanics field. Subsequently, a reconfigurable test apparatus was used to generate experimental measurements from a physical non-linear “joint” involving two-dimensional motion (translation and rotation) and complicated interaction forces between the different motion axes, among its internal elements. Both the polynomial-basis approach and the neural network method were used to develop high-fidelity, non-parametric models of the physical test article. The ability of the identified models to accurately “generalize” the essential features of the non-linear system was verified by comparing the predictions of the models with experimental measurements from data sets corresponding to different excitations than those used for identification purposes. It is shown that the identification techniques under discussion can be useful tools for developing accurate simulation models of complex multi-dimensional non-linear systems under broadband excitation.     

Adaptive fuzzy control of uncertain MIMO non-linear systems in block-triangular forms

Adaptive control of a class of uncertain multi-input/multi-output (MIMO) non-linear systems in block-triangular forms is considered in this paper. By incorporating dynamic surface approach and ??minimal learning parameters?? algorithm, a systematic procedure for the synthesis of stable adaptive fuzzy tracking controllers with less tuning parameters is developed. Takagi?CSugeno (T-S) fuzzy logic systems (FLSs) are used to approximate those unstructured system functions rather than the unknown virtual control gain functions. Consequently, the potential controller singularity problem can be overcome. Moreover, both problems of ??explosion of learning parameters?? and ??explosion of complexity?? are avoided. The computational burden has thus been greatly reduced. The stability in the sense of semi-globally uniform ultimate boundedness (SGUUB) of the closed-loop MIMO systems is established via Lyapunov stability theorem. Finally, simulation results are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness and the advantages of the proposed control approach.     

An intelligent parameter varying (IPV) approach for non-linear system identification of base excited structures

Health monitoring and damage detection strategies for base-excited structures typically rely on accurate models of the system dynamics. Restoring forces in these structures can exhibit highly non-linear characteristics, thus accurate non-linear system identification is critical. Parametric system identification approaches are commonly used, but require a priori knowledge of restoring force characteristics. Non-parametric approaches do not require this a priori information, but they typically lack direct associations between the model and the system dynamics, providing limited utility for health monitoring and damage detection. In this paper a novel system identification approach, the intelligent parameter varying (IPV) method, is used to identify constitutive non-linearities in structures subject to seismic excitations. IPV overcomes the limitations of traditional parametric and non-parametric approaches, while preserving the unique benefits of each. It uses embedded radial basis function networks to estimate the constitutive characteristics of inelastic and hysteretic restoring forces in a multi-degree-of-freedom structure. Simulation results are compared to those of a traditional parametric approach, the prediction error method. These results demonstrate the effectiveness of IPV in identifying highly non-linear restoring forces, without a priori information, while preserving a direct association with the structural dynamics.     

Adaptive robust control of Mecanum-wheeled mobile robot with uncertainties

This paper presents a novel implementation of an adaptive robust second-order sliding mode control (ARSSMC) on a mobile robot with four Mecanum wheels. Each wheel of the mobile robot is actuated by separate motors. It is the first time that higher-order sliding mode control method is implemented for the trajectory tracking control of Mecanum-wheeled mobile robot. Kinematic and dynamic modeling of the robot is done to derive an equation of motion in the presence of friction, external force disturbance, and uncertainties. In order to make the system robust, second-order sliding mode control law is derived. Further, adaptive laws are defined for adaptive estimation of switching gains. To check the tracking performance of the proposed controller, simulations are performed and comparisons of the obtained results are made with adaptive robust sliding mode control (ARSMC) and PID controller. In addition, a new and low-cost experimental approach is proposed to implement the proposed control law on a real robot. Experimental results prove that without compromising on the dynamics of the robot real-time implementation is possible in less computational time. The simulation and experimental results obtained confirms the superiority of ARSSMC over ARSMC and PID controller in terms of integral square error (ISE), integral absolute error (IAE), and integral time-weighted absolute error (ITAE), control energy and total variance (TV).     

Stability analysis of the periodic solution of a piecewise-linear non-linear dynamic system

The stability of the periodic solution under harmonic excitation of a non-linear dynamic system with “linear hysteretic damping” is examined proceeding from first principles. The method can be extended to the case of multi-degree of freedom systems unlike regular perturbation procedure.     

Decentralized adaptive neural control of nonlinear systems with unknown time delays

In this paper, a novel decentralized adaptive neural control scheme is proposed for a class of uncertain multi-input and multi-output (MIMO) nonlinear time-delay systems. RBF neural networks (NNs) are used to tackle unknown nonlinear functions, then the decentralized adaptive NN tracking controller is constructed by combining Lyapunov–Krasovskii functions and the dynamic surface control (DSC) technique along with the minimal-learning-parameters (MLP) algorithm. The proposed controller guarantees semi-global uniform ultimate boundedness (SGUUB) of all the signals in the closed-loop large-scale system, while the tracking errors converge to a small neighborhood of the origin. An advantage of the proposed control scheme lies in that the number of adaptive parameters for each subsystem is reduced to one, and three problems of “computational explosion,” “dimension curse” and “controller singularity” are solved, respectively. Finally, a numerical simulation is presented to demonstrate the effectiveness and performance of the proposed scheme.     

Modeling of a magnetorheological damper by recursive lazy learning

Nowadays dampers based on magnetorheological (MR) fluids are receiving significant attention specially for control of structural vibration and automotive suspensions systems. In most cases, it is necessary to develop an appropriate control strategy which is practically implementable when a suitable model for MR dampers is available. It is not a trivial task to model the dynamic of MR dampers because of their inherent non-linear and hysteretic dynamics. In this paper, a recursive lazy learning method based on neural networks is considered to model the MR damper behavior. The proposed method is validated by comparison with experimental obtained responses. Results show the estimated model correlates very well with the data obtained experimentally. The method proposed learns quickly that it is only necessarily a learning cycle, it can learn on-line and it is easy to select the network structure and calculate the model parameters.     

Structural health monitoring and damage detection using an intelligent parameter varying (IPV) technique

Most structural health monitoring and damage detection strategies utilize dynamic response information to identify the existence, location, and magnitude of damage. Traditional model-based techniques seek to identify parametric changes in a linear dynamic model, while non-model-based techniques focus on changes in the temporal and frequency characteristics of the system response. Because restoring forces in base-excited structures can exhibit highly non-linear characteristics, non-linear model-based approaches may be better suited for reliable health monitoring and damage detection. This paper presents the application of a novel intelligent parameter varying (IPV) modeling and system identification technique, developed by the authors, to detect damage in base-excited structures. This IPV technique overcomes specific limitations of traditional model-based and non-model-based approaches, as demonstrated through comparative simulations with wavelet analysis methods. These simulations confirm the effectiveness of the IPV technique, and show that performance is not compromised by the introduction of realistic structural non-linearities and ground excitation characteristics.     

柔性关节-柔性臂空间机器人的神经网络自适应反演控制及双重柔性振动抑制

空间机器人系统的柔性主要体现在空间机器人的臂杆和连接各臂杆之间的铰关节。由于空间机器人系统结构的复杂性,以往研究人员对同时具有柔性关节和柔性臂的系统关注不够。为此探讨了参数未知柔性关节-柔性臂空间机器人系统的动力学模拟、轨迹跟踪控制算法设计和关节、臂杆双重柔性振动的主动抑制问题。首先,采用多体动力学建模方法并结合漂浮基空间机器人固有的线动量和角动量守恒动力学特性,推导了系统的动力学方程。以此为基础,考虑到空间机器人实际应用中各关节铰具有较强柔性的情况,引入一种关节柔性补偿控制器解决了传统奇异摄动法应用受关节柔性限制问题,导出了适用于控制系统算法设计的数学模型。然后,利用该模型,基于反演思想在慢时标子系统中设计神经网络自适应控制算法来补偿系统参数未知和柔性关节引起的转动误差,实现系统运动轨迹跟踪性能;针对快时标子系统,设计了鲁棒最优控制算法抑制因柔性关节及柔性臂引起的系统双重弹性振动,保证系统的稳定性。最后,通过仿真对比实验验证了所设计控制算法的有效性。     

Discrete non-linear adaptive data driven control based upon simultaneous perturbation stochastic approximation

A novel adaptive data driven control strategy is proposed for general discrete non-linear systems. The controller is designed based upon the Simultaneous Perturbation Stochastic Approximation (SPSA) method, and is constructed through use of a Function Approximator (FA), which is fixed as a neural network here. In this novel control strategy, the parametric estimation is designed to be adaptive with convergence analysis, and the control ability has been greatly improved. The proposed control method is finally applied into the non-linear tracking problems, as well as near-optimal control problems for discrete-time non-linear systems. Simulation comparison tests were conducted on typical non-linear plants, through which, the convergence and feasibility of the proposed adaptive data driven control strategy are well demonstrated.     

Modeling of joints with clearance in flexible multibody systems

This paper is concerned with the modeling of joints with clearance within the framework of finite element based dynamic analysis of nonlinear, flexible multibody systems. For actual joints, clearance, lubrication and friction phenomena can significantly affect the dynamic response of the system. In this work, the effects of clearance and lubrication are studied for revolute and spherical joints. The formulation is developed within the framework of energy preserving and decaying time integration schemes that provide unconditional stability for nonlinear, flexible multibody systems. Numerical examples are presented that demonstrate the efficiency and accuracy of the proposed approach. The importance of modeling structural damping and limited driving power are discussed.