Les travaux effectués durant cette thèse portent sur l’étude du comportement mécanique dynamique de solutions amortissantes passives utilisées pour la réduction des niveaux vibratoires et la stabilisation des systèmes optroniques embarqués au sein de l’entreprise Thales LAS France. Ces solutions intègrent des matériaux élastomères au fort pouvoir dissipatif dont le comportement doit être parfaitement maîtrisé pour un bon dimensionnement de l’isolation vibratoire, et ce malgré leur dépendance à la température et à la fréquence. L’objectif général est d’améliorer la connaissance du comportement de ces matériaux, leur caractérisation, leur prise en compte dans les simulations numériques afin d’améliorer les pratiques employées dans les bureaux d’études qui conçoivent les structures accueillant ces systèmes.Dans ce cadre, les travaux présentés portent tout d’abord sur la caractérisation, la modélisation et l’identification du comportement viscoélastique des élastomères employés dans des amortisseurs de Thales LAS France. Un modèle de type Maxwell généralisé (GMM) est utilisé pour décrire ce comportement, et est introduit dans un modèle éléments finis de l’amortisseur afin d’obtenir une représentation physique satisfaisante de son comportement mécanique dynamique. Le problème est réécrit sous la forme d’une représentation d’état originale qui est associée à une stratégie de réduction de modèle pour réduire les temps de calcul. Différentes simulations sont alors réalisées pour illustrer le potentiel de l’approche proposée, analyse modale complexe, réponse fréquentielle et réponse temporelle. La température ayant une influence primordiale sur le comportement mécanique des élastomères, un modèle matériau thermomécanique spécifique est proposé en identifiant l’évolution en température de paramètres du GMM, et une analyse de robustesse portant sur la capacité de dissipation de l’amortisseur témoin en présence de méconnaissances sur cette variable est réalisée en se basant sur la théorie Info-Gap.L’analyse d’une campagne d’essais a permis de constater l’apparition d’un assouplissement de la structure sous de fortes sollicitations, laissant augurer la présence de non-linéarités. Un autre aspect abordé durant cette thèse porte ainsi sur la caractérisation, la modélisation et l’identification des phénomènes non-linéaires pouvant impacter le comportement dynamique de l’amortisseur. Deux sources ont été mises en évidence : une non-linéarité matérielle liée à la dépendance des caractéristiques mécaniques des élastomères au taux de déformation (effet Payne), et une non-linéarité de type contact liée à la présence de butées. Ces comportements ont été implémentés dans une représentation réduite de l’amortisseur afin d’expliquer les phénomènes non-linéaires observés expérimentalement au cours des campagnes de qualification du produit.Enfin, la dernière partie de ces travaux de thèse porte sur la conception d’un réseau d’absorbeurs à masses accordées (MTMD) afin de réduire le niveau vibratoire d’une pièce structurale supportant les systèmes optiques. Après une formulation du problème éléments finis, une procédure d’optimisation des paramètres du MTMD est mise en œuvre et une analyse de robustesse de la solution optimale en présence d’incertitudes sur la fréquence propre à contrôler est effectuée. Cette étude est menée pour différents jeux de paramètres et une méthode d’optimisation robuste est proposée en combinant la procédure d’optimisation et la théorie Info-Gap. Pour finir, une maquette du système étudié est réalisée ainsi qu’une version simplifiée de son MTMD associé afin de mettre à l’épreuve les règles d’accordage issues des études numériques grâce à une série d’essais vibratoires. / The work carried out during this thesis deals with the study of the dynamic mechanical behavior of passive damping solutions used for the reduction of vibration levels and the stabilization of embedded optronic systems within Thales LAS France company. These solutions integrate elastomer materials with high dissipative power, whose behavior must be perfectly controlled for a good mechanical dimensioning of vibration isolation, despite their dependence on temperature and frequency. The general objective is to improve the knowledge of these material behavior, the characterization techniques, and the method taking into account this behavior in the numerical simulations in order to improve the practices used in the engineering department that design the structures hosting these systems.In this context, the work presented first focuses on the characterization, the modeling and the identification of the viscoelastic behavior of elastomers used in Thales LAS France damping devices. A Generalized Maxwell Model (GMM) is used to describe this behavior, and is introduced into a finite element model of the damper to obtain a satisfactory physical representation of its dynamic mechanical behavior. The problem is rewritten as an original state space representation that is associated with a model reduction strategy to reduce computation times. Various simulations are moreover performed to illustrate the potential of the proposed approach, such as complex modal analysis, frequency response and temporal response. Since temperature has a major influence on the mechanical behavior of elastomers, a specific thermomechanical material model is proposed by identifying the temperature evolution of GMM parameters, and a robustness analysis on the dissipation ability of the damper in the presence of a lack-of-knowledge on this variable is carried out based on the Info-Gap theory.Experimental test results showed the appearance of a softening of the structure under heavy load, suggesting the presence of non-linearities. Another aspect of this thesis deals with the characterization, the modeling and the identification of non-linear phenomena that can impact the dynamic behavior of the damper. Two sources have been highlighted: a material non-linearity related to the dependence of the mechanical characteristics of the elastomers to the rate of deformation (Payne effect), and a contact non-linearity related to the presence of mechanical stops. These behaviors were implemented in a reduced representation of the damper to explain the nonlinear phenomena observed experimentally during the damping device qualification campaigns.Finally, the last part of this thesis deals with the design of a network of tuned mass absorbers (MTMD) in order to reduce the vibratory level of a structural part supporting optical systems. After a formulation of the finite element problem, a procedure for optimizing the parameters of the MTMD is implemented and a robustness analysis of the optimal solution in the presence of uncertainties on the specific eigenfrequency to be controlled is performed. This study is carried out for different sets of parameters and a robust design optimization method is proposed by combining the optimization procedure and the Info-Gap theory. Finally, a model of the studied system is realized as well as a simplified version of its associated MTMD in order to test the tuning rules resulting from numerical studies thanks to a series of experimental tests.

Current seismic design practice promotes inelastic response in order to reduce the design forces. By allowing the structure to yield while increasing the ductility of the structure, the global forces can be kept within the limited bounds dictated by the yield strength. However, during severe earthquakes, the structures undergo significant inelastic deformations leading to stiffness and strength degradation, increased interstory drifts, and damage with residual drift. The research presented in this thesis has three components that seek to address these challenges. To prevent the inelastic effects observed in yielding systems, a new concept “apparent weakening” is proposed and verified through shake table studies in this thesis. “Apparent weakening” is introduced in the structural system using a complementary “adaptive negative stiffness device” (NSD) that mimics "yielding” of the global system thus attracting it away from the main structural system. Unlike the concept of weakening and damping, where the main structural system strength is reduced, the new system does not alter the original structural system, but produces effects compatible with an early yielding. Response reduction using NSD is achieved in a two step sequence. First the NSD, which is capable of exhibiting nonlinear elastic stiffness, is developed based on the properties of the structure. This NSD is added to the structure resulting in reduction of the stiffness of the structure and NSD assembly or “apparent weakening”-thereby resulting in the reduction of the base shear of the assembly. Then a passive damper, designed for the assembly to reduce the displacements that are caused due to the “apparent weakening”, is added to the structure-thereby reducing the base shear, acceleration and displacement in a two step process. The primary focus of this thesis is to analyze and experimentally verify the response reduction attributes of NSD in (a) elastic structural systems (b) yielding systems and (3) multistory structures. Experimental studies on 1:3 scale three-story frame structure have confirmed that consistent reductions in displacements, accelerations and base shear can be achieved in an elastic structure and bilinear inelastic structure by adding the NSD and viscous fluid damper. It has also been demonstrated that the stiffening in NSD will prevent the structure from collapsing. Analogous to the inelastic design, the acceleration and base shear and deformation of the structure and NSD assembly can be reduced by more than 20% for moderate ground motions and the collapse of structure can be prevented for severe ground motions. Simulation studies have been carried on an inelastic multistoried shear building to demonstrate the effectiveness of placing NSDs and dampers at multiple locations along the height of the building; referred to as “distributed isolation”. The results reported in this study have demonstrated that by placing a NSD in a particular story the superstructure above that story can be isolated from the effects of ground motion. Since the NSDs in the bottom floors will undergo large deformations, a generalized scheme to incorporate NSDs with different force deformation behavior in each storey is proposed. The properties of NSD are varied to minimize the localized inter-story deformation and distribute it evenly along the height of the building. Additionally, two semi-active approaches have also been proposed to improve the performance of NSD in yielding structures and also adapt to varying structure properties in real time. The second component of this thesis deals with development of a novel device to control the response of structural system using adaptive length pendulum smart tuned mass damper (ALP-STMD). A mechanism to achieve the variable pendulum length is developed using shape memory alloy wire actuator. ALP-STMD acts as a vibration absorber and since the length is tuned to match the instantaneous frequency, using a STFT algorithm, all the vibrations pertaining to the dominant frequency are absorbed. ALP-STMD is capable of absorbing all the energy pertaining to the tuned-frequency of the system; the performance is experimentally verified for forced vibration (stationary and non-stationary) and free vibration. The third component of this thesis covers the development of an adaptive control algorithm to compensate hysteresis in hysteretic systems. Hysteretic system with variable stiffness hysteresis is represented as a quasi-linear parameter varying (LPV) system and a gain scheduled controller is designed for the quasi-LPV system using linear matrix inequalities approach. Designed controller is scheduled based on two parameters: linear time-varying stiffness (slow varying parameter) and the stiffness of friction hysteresis (fast varying parameter). The effectiveness of the proposed controller is demonstrated through numerical studies by comparing the proposed controller with fixed robust H∞ controller. Superior tracking performance of the LPV-GS over the robust H∞ controller in different displacement ranges and various stiffness switching cases is clearly evident from the results presented in this thesis. The LPV-GS controller is capable of adapting to the parameter changes and is effective over the entire range of parameter variations.

In this study, the efficiency of linear and rotational tuned mass dampers (TMD) and lever type vibration isolators (LVI) in improving ride comfort is investigated based on a vehicle quarter-car model. TMDs reduce vibration levels by absorbing the energy of the system, especially at their natural frequencies. Both types of TMDs are investigated in the first part of this study. Although linear TMDs can be implemented more easily on suspension systems, rotational TMDs show better performance in reducing vibration levels / since, the inertia effect of rotational TMDs is higher than the linear TMDs. In order to obtain better results with TMDs, configurations with chain of linear TMDs are obtained in the second part of the study without changing the original suspension stiffness and damping coefficient. In addition to these, the effect of increasing the number of TMDs used in the chain configuration is investigated. Results show that performance deterioration at lower frequencies than wheel hop is reduced by using chain of TMDs. In the third part of this study, various configurations of LVIs with different masses are considered and significant attenuation of vibration amplitudes at both body bounce and wheel hop frequencies is achieved. Results show that TMDs improve ride comfort around wheel hop frequency while LVIs are quite efficient around body bounce frequency. Finally, parameter uncertainty due to aging of components and manufacturing defects are investigated.

Atualmente as estruturas estão sendo avaliadas para um maior número de ações em relação há algumas décadas. Esta melhoria ao longo da fase de concepção é dada devido ao fato de que está se tornando mais competitivo o fornecimento de estruturas leves e esbeltas, sendo solicitados, cada vez mais, projetos com menor custo de implantação. Devido a isto, é necessário avaliar as estruturas não apenas sujeitas a cargas estáticas, mas também a carregamentos dinâmicos. As ações dinâmicas que atuam sobre uma estrutura podem ser muito mais prejudiciais do que as estáticas quando não são bem consideradas e dimensionadas. Ações dinâmicas podem ser provenientes de tremores de terra, vento, equipamentos em funcionamento, deslocamento de pessoas, veículos em movimento, motores desbalanceados, entre outras fontes, o que pode causar vibrações na estrutura, podendo levar a mesma ao colapso. A fim de controlar e reduzir as amplitudes de vibração, entre outras alternativas é possível a instalação de amortecedores de massa sintonizado (AMS), que é um dispositivo de controle passivo. O AMS tem várias vantagens, tais como a grande capacidade de reduzir a amplitude de vibração, fácil instalação, baixa manutenção, baixo custo, entre outras. Para se obter a melhor relação custo-benefício, ou seja, a maior redução de amplitude aliada a um menor número de amortecedores ou a uma menor massa, a otimização dos parâmetros do AMS tornase fundamental. Neste contexto, este trabalho visa, através de simulação numérica, propor um método para otimizar parâmetros de AMSs quando estes devem ser instalados em edifícios submetidos à excitação sísmica. Inicialmente é considerado apenas um único AMS instalado no topo do edifício e em seguida também são feitas simulações com múltiplos AMSs (MAMS), e por fim são descartados os AMSs desnecessários, obtendo assim a melhor resposta da estrutura. Para tanto, uma rotina computacional é desenvolvida em MatLab usando o método de integração direta das equações de movimento de Newmark para determinar a resposta dinâmica da estrutura. Para fins de análise podem ser considerados tanto sismos reais quanto artificiais. Os acelerogramas artificias são gerados a partir do espectro proposto por Kanai e Tajimi. Primeiramente, a estrutura é analisada somente com o seu amortecimento próprio para fins comparativos e de referência. Em seguida, a otimização do ou dos AMSs é feita, na qual a função objetivo é minimizar o deslocamento máximo no topo do edifício, e as variáveis de projeto, são a relação de massas (AMS - Estrutura), rigidez e amortecimento do ou dos AMSs. Para a otimização são utilizados os algoritmos Firefly Algotithm e Backtracking Search Optimization Algorithm. De acordo com as configurações do AMS, após a otimização dos seus parâmetros são determinadas as novas respostas dinâmicas da estrutura. Finalmente, pode-se observar que o método proposto foi capaz de otimizar os parâmetros do ou dos AMSs, reduzindo consideravelmente as respostas da estrutura após a instalação do mesmo, minimizando o risco de dano e colapso do edifício. Desta forma, este trabalho mostra que é possível projetar AMS e MAMS de forma econômica e eficaz. / Currently, structures are being evaluated for a greater number of actions when compared to a few decades ago. This improvement in designing stage is happening because projects providing lightweight and slender structures, with lower implantation costs, are being more requested. Thus, evaluating structures not only subjected to static loads, but also to dynamic loads has become necessary. Dynamic loads acting on a structure are more damaging than static loads, if they are not well considered and dimensioned. Dynamic loads could occur from earthquakes, wind, equipment, movement of people or vehicles, among other sources, which cause vibrations in structures and may lead to a collapse. Tuned mass damper (TMD), a passive control device, can be installed as an alternative to reduce vibration amplitudes. TMD has several advantages, such as large capacity to reduce amplitude of vibration, easy installation, low maintenance, low cost, among others. Optimizing TMD parameters is fundamental for obtaining best cost-benefit relation, i.e., greater amplitude reduction along with lower number of dampers or lower mass. In this context, this study aims at proposing, through numerical simulation, a method for optimizing TMD parameters when installing them on buildings under seismic excitation. Initially, a single-TMD case is considered, then simulations with multiple-TMDs (MTMDs) are run; lastly, unnecessary TMDs are discarded, obtaining the best structural response. For this purpose, a computational routine is developed on MatLab using Newmark direct integration method for equations of motion to determine the dynamic structural response. Both real and artificial earthquakes are considered for purposes of analysis. Artificial accelerograms are generated from proposed Kanai-Tajimi spectrum. First, structure is analyzed only with its own damping for comparison and reference. Second, a single or multiple-TMD optimization is carried out, in which the objective function is to minimize the maximum displacement at the top of the building, and the design variables are modal mass ratio (Structure-TMD), stiffness and damping of a single or multiple-TMD. Firefly and Backtracking Optimization algorithms are used for optimization. According to TMD settings, new dynamic structural responses are determined after optimizing parameters. Finally, the proposed method could optimize parameters of single or multiple-TMDs, considerably reducing structural responses after their installation, minimizing the risk of damage and building collapse. Thus, this study shows the possibility of designing TMDs or MTMDs both economically and effectively.

Atualmente as estruturas estão sendo avaliadas para um maior número de ações em relação há algumas décadas. Esta melhoria ao longo da fase de concepção é dada devido ao fato de que está se tornando mais competitivo o fornecimento de estruturas leves e esbeltas, sendo solicitados, cada vez mais, projetos com menor custo de implantação. Devido a isto, é necessário avaliar as estruturas não apenas sujeitas a cargas estáticas, mas também a carregamentos dinâmicos. As ações dinâmicas que atuam sobre uma estrutura podem ser muito mais prejudiciais do que as estáticas quando não são bem consideradas e dimensionadas. Ações dinâmicas podem ser provenientes de tremores de terra, vento, equipamentos em funcionamento, deslocamento de pessoas, veículos em movimento, motores desbalanceados, entre outras fontes, o que pode causar vibrações na estrutura, podendo levar a mesma ao colapso. A fim de controlar e reduzir as amplitudes de vibração, entre outras alternativas é possível a instalação de amortecedores de massa sintonizado (AMS), que é um dispositivo de controle passivo. O AMS tem várias vantagens, tais como a grande capacidade de reduzir a amplitude de vibração, fácil instalação, baixa manutenção, baixo custo, entre outras. Para se obter a melhor relação custo-benefício, ou seja, a maior redução de amplitude aliada a um menor número de amortecedores ou a uma menor massa, a otimização dos parâmetros do AMS tornase fundamental. Neste contexto, este trabalho visa, através de simulação numérica, propor um método para otimizar parâmetros de AMSs quando estes devem ser instalados em edifícios submetidos à excitação sísmica. Inicialmente é considerado apenas um único AMS instalado no topo do edifício e em seguida também são feitas simulações com múltiplos AMSs (MAMS), e por fim são descartados os AMSs desnecessários, obtendo assim a melhor resposta da estrutura. Para tanto, uma rotina computacional é desenvolvida em MatLab usando o método de integração direta das equações de movimento de Newmark para determinar a resposta dinâmica da estrutura. Para fins de análise podem ser considerados tanto sismos reais quanto artificiais. Os acelerogramas artificias são gerados a partir do espectro proposto por Kanai e Tajimi. Primeiramente, a estrutura é analisada somente com o seu amortecimento próprio para fins comparativos e de referência. Em seguida, a otimização do ou dos AMSs é feita, na qual a função objetivo é minimizar o deslocamento máximo no topo do edifício, e as variáveis de projeto, são a relação de massas (AMS - Estrutura), rigidez e amortecimento do ou dos AMSs. Para a otimização são utilizados os algoritmos Firefly Algotithm e Backtracking Search Optimization Algorithm. De acordo com as configurações do AMS, após a otimização dos seus parâmetros são determinadas as novas respostas dinâmicas da estrutura. Finalmente, pode-se observar que o método proposto foi capaz de otimizar os parâmetros do ou dos AMSs, reduzindo consideravelmente as respostas da estrutura após a instalação do mesmo, minimizando o risco de dano e colapso do edifício. Desta forma, este trabalho mostra que é possível projetar AMS e MAMS de forma econômica e eficaz. / Currently, structures are being evaluated for a greater number of actions when compared to a few decades ago. This improvement in designing stage is happening because projects providing lightweight and slender structures, with lower implantation costs, are being more requested. Thus, evaluating structures not only subjected to static loads, but also to dynamic loads has become necessary. Dynamic loads acting on a structure are more damaging than static loads, if they are not well considered and dimensioned. Dynamic loads could occur from earthquakes, wind, equipment, movement of people or vehicles, among other sources, which cause vibrations in structures and may lead to a collapse. Tuned mass damper (TMD), a passive control device, can be installed as an alternative to reduce vibration amplitudes. TMD has several advantages, such as large capacity to reduce amplitude of vibration, easy installation, low maintenance, low cost, among others. Optimizing TMD parameters is fundamental for obtaining best cost-benefit relation, i.e., greater amplitude reduction along with lower number of dampers or lower mass. In this context, this study aims at proposing, through numerical simulation, a method for optimizing TMD parameters when installing them on buildings under seismic excitation. Initially, a single-TMD case is considered, then simulations with multiple-TMDs (MTMDs) are run; lastly, unnecessary TMDs are discarded, obtaining the best structural response. For this purpose, a computational routine is developed on MatLab using Newmark direct integration method for equations of motion to determine the dynamic structural response. Both real and artificial earthquakes are considered for purposes of analysis. Artificial accelerograms are generated from proposed Kanai-Tajimi spectrum. First, structure is analyzed only with its own damping for comparison and reference. Second, a single or multiple-TMD optimization is carried out, in which the objective function is to minimize the maximum displacement at the top of the building, and the design variables are modal mass ratio (Structure-TMD), stiffness and damping of a single or multiple-TMD. Firefly and Backtracking Optimization algorithms are used for optimization. According to TMD settings, new dynamic structural responses are determined after optimizing parameters. Finally, the proposed method could optimize parameters of single or multiple-TMDs, considerably reducing structural responses after their installation, minimizing the risk of damage and building collapse. Thus, this study shows the possibility of designing TMDs or MTMDs both economically and effectively.

[pt] No presente trabalho estuda-se a aplicação do controle estrutural na proteção de estruturas submetidas a carregamentos dinâmicos contra níveis de vibração indesejáveis que possam causar desconforto e, até mesmo, comprometer a segurança e integridade da edificação. Os três tipos de controle estrutural, passivo, ativo e híbrido, são analisados de forma a evidenciar as vantagens do uso do controle híbrido. O mecanismo de controle utilizado é o denominado amortecedor de massa sintonizado (AMS), devido à sua vasta aplicação na Engenharia Civil, tendo uma grande quantidade sido instalada em edifícios, pontes e chaminés industriais para controle de vibrações causadas pelo vento. Verifica-se a influência da não- linearidade da rigidez do AMS no comportamento do sistema principal. A utilização de amortecedores de massa sintonizados múltiplos é também estudada como uma forma de vencer certas limitações quanto à robustez deste tipo de sistema e melhorar sua performance. Analisa-se por fim o comportamento e eficiência do amortecedor de massa híbrido (AMH), em relação ao AMS passivo. Para cálculo da força de controle são utilizados os seguintes algoritmos: controle ótimo linear clássico, controle ótimo instantâneo e controle ótimo não-linear. Uma estratégia para definição das matrizes de ponderação, utilizadas no algoritmo de controle ótimo instantâneo, que minimizem a amplitude da resposta harmônica permanente é apresentada. Exemplos numéricos são apresentados ao longo de todo o trabalho. Verifica-se que a utilização do controle híbrido é mais eficiente que os controles passivo e ativo isolados, requerendo forças de magnitude inferiores, o que reduz bastante o custo deste tipo de sistema. O sistema de controle híbrido se mostrou eficiente na redução de vibrações causadas por carregamentos cujas freqüências eram diversas das consideradas no projeto do sistema de controle passivo. Verificou-se, ainda que o mesmo se comportou de forma satisfatória no caso de discrepância na freqüência natural da estrutura. / [en] In this work the use of structural control is studied to protect dynamically loaded building structures against undesirable vibration levels, which can cause human discomfort and, even more, compromise the building safety and integrity. The three types of structural control, passive, ative and hybrid, are analysed to show the advantages of hybrid control in reducing undesirable vibration levels. The chosen control mechanism is the so called tuned mass damper (TMD), due to its large application in Civil Engineering, having a great number of these devices been installed in buildings, bridges and industrial chimneys to control structural vibrations induced by wind loads. It is also verified the influence of TMD non linear stiffness on the main system behaviour. The use of multiple tuned mass dampers is studied as a possible way of improving the TMD robustness and performance. The hybrid mass damper (HMD) behaviour and efficiency comparing to the passive mass damper is analysed in detail. To calculate the control force the following control algorithms are used: classical optimum linear control, instantaneous optimum control and non-linear optimum control. A strategy to define the weighting matrices used in the instantaneous optimum control algorithm that minimizes the harmonic response amplitude is presented. Several numerical examples are presented aalong the work. The results show that the hybrid control is more efficient that the passive or active control used separately, requiring smaller forces reducing in this way the cost of the control system. The hybrid control system showed to be more efficient in reducing vibrations caused by loadings which had different frequencies from that considered on the passive control design. Moreover it was shown that hybrid control has a satisfactory perfomance when discrepancies in natural frequency occur.

In recent years, an increase to design slender and aesthetically-pleasing structures have resulted in some structures having a low natural frequency. This is because the design calculation did not meet the requirement of serviceability performance. Structures can experience excessive vibrations when they are subjected to different types of dynamic loading. A device can be installed to prevent these vibrations.In this thesis, we study the response of buildings and lateral vibrations of footbridges equipped with Tuned Liquid Damper. The aim is to mitigate the first mode of vibration. Tuned Liquid Damper consists of a container in rectangular, cylindrical or arbitrary shape partially filled with shallow liquid, most often water is used as a regulating device system. The design properties of Tuned Liquid Damper is introduced and it is based on the analogyof the most popular damper, Tuned Mass Damper.An experimental study of a building frame model with four floors is conducted to validate the numerical results obtained from the simulation of the model in ANSYS. The linear and non-linear analysis are performed through a system coupling between Ansys mechanical and Fluent solver. The simulation results obtained are in good agreement with the experimental results.A parametric study is conducted with a simply supported steel footbridge. It is a 45 m long span with 3 m width and the flexural rigidity is modified to get the lateral vibration mode. The first lateral natural frequency obtained is 0.713 Hz. The load case for the study considered is according to Sétra guide. The variable parameters studied is the Tuned Liquid Damper water mass ratios: 0.7%, 1.0%, 2.0%, 3.0% and 4.0%. The results show a satisfactory performance of the footbridge model equipped with Tuned Liquid Damper. The accelerations are below 0.1 m/s2 which satisfied the requirement of 0.15 m/s2.

Since their invention in the early 1900s, Tuned Vibration Absorbers (TVAs) have shown to be effective in suppressing vibrations of machines and structures. A vibration absorber is a vibratory subsystem attached to a primary system. It normally consists of a mass, a spring, and a damper. Mounted to the primary system, a TVA counteracts the motions of the primary system, "absorbing" the primary structure's vibrations. A conventional passive TVA, however, is only effective when it is tuned properly, hence, the name "tuned" vibration absorber. In many practical applications, inevitable off-tuning (or mistuning) of a TVA occurs because of the system's operating conditions or parameter changes over time. For example, the mass in a building floor could change by moving furnishings, people gathering, etc., which can "off-tune" TVAs. When TVAs are off-tuned, their effectiveness is sharply reduced. Moreover, the off-tuned TVAs can excessively amplify the vibration levels of the primary structures; therefore, not only rendering the TVA useless but also possibly causing damage to the structures. Off-tuning is one of the major problems of conventional passive TVAs. This study proposes a novel semiactive TVA, which strives to combine the best features of passive and active TVA systems. The semiactive TVA in this study includes a Magneto-Rheological (MR) damper that is used as a controllable damping element, for providing the real-time adjustability that is needed for improving the TVA performance. This study is conducted in two phases. The first phase provides a numerical investigation on a two-degree-of-freedom (2-DOF) numerical model in which the primary structure is coupled with a TVA. The numerical investigation considers four semiactive control methods for the MR TVAs, in addition to an equivalent passive TVA. These numerical models are optimally tuned using numerical optimization techniques to compare each TVA system. These tuned systems then serve as the basis for numerical parametric studies for further evaluation of their dynamic performance. The parametric study covers the effects of damping, as well as system parameter variations (off-tuning). The results indicates that semiactive TVAs are more effective in reducing the maximum vibrations of the primary structure and are more robust when subjected to off-tuning. Additionally, the numerical study identifies the "On-off Displacement-Based Groundhook control (on-off DBG)" as the most suitable control method for the semiactive TVA among control methods considered in this study. For the second phase of this study, an experimental study is performed on a test setup, which represents a 2-DOF structure model coupled with an MR TVA. Using this setup, a series of tests are conducted in the same manner as the numerical study to evaluate the performance of the semiactive TVA. The primary purposes of the experiment are to further evaluate the most promising semiactive control methods and to serve as a "proof-of-concept" of the effectiveness of this MR TVA for floor vibration applications. The results indicate that the semiactive TVA with displacement-based groundhook control outperforms the equivalent passive TVA in reducing the maximum vibrations of the primary structure. This confirms the numerical result that identifies on-off DBG control method as the "best" control method for the MR TVA among four semiactive control schemes considered. The experimental robustness study is also conducted, focusing on the dynamic performance of both the passive and the semiactive TVAs when the mass of the primary system changes (mass off-tuning). The mass of the primary system varied from -23 % to +23 % of its nominal value by adding and removing external masses. The experimental results show that the semiactive TVA is more robust to changes in the primary mass than the passive TVA. These results justify the benefits of the use of semiactive MR TVAs in structures, such as building floor systems. The off-tuning analysis further suggests that, in practice, semiactive TVAs should be tuned slightly less than their optimum in order to compensate for any added masses to the structure. Additionally, the lessons learned from the experimental study have paved the way for implementing the semiactive MR TVA on a test floor, which is currently in progress under a separate study. / Ph. D.

This thesis presents a state-of-the-art-review and twodifferent approaches for solving the moving load problem ofcable-stayed and suspension bridges. The first approach uses a simplified analysis method tostudy the dynamic response of simple cable-stayed bridgemodels. The bridge is idealized as a Bernoulli-Euler beam onelastic supports with varying support stiffness. To solve theequation of motion of the bridge, the finite difference methodand the mode superposition technique are used. The second approach is based on the nonlinear finite elementmethod and is used to study the response of more realisticcable-stayed and suspension bridge models considering exactcable behavior and nonlinear geometric effects. The cables aremodeled using a two-node catenary cable element derived using"exact" analytical expressions for the elastic catenary. Twomethods for evaluating the dynamic response are presented. Thefirst for evaluating the linear traffic load response using themode superposition technique and the deformed dead load tangentstiffness matrix, and the second for the nonlinear traffic loadresponse using the Newton-Newmark algorithm. The implemented programs have been verified by comparinganalysis results with those found in the literature and withresults obtained using a commercial finite element code.Several numerical examples are presented including one for theGreat Belt suspension bridge in Denmark. Parametric studieshave been conducted to investigate the effect of, among others,bridge damping, bridge-vehicle interaction, cables vibration,road surface roughness, vehicle speed, and tuned mass dampers.From the numerical study, it was concluded that road surfaceroughness has great influence on the dynamic response andshould always be considered. It was also found that utilizingthe dead load tangent stiffness matrix, linear dynamic trafficload analysis give sufficiently accurate results from theengineering point of view. / QC 20100511

Le phénomène de résonance sol (PRS) est une instabilité pouvant survenir lorsque l’hélicoptère est au sol et le rotor est en marche ; elle peut vite aboutir à la destruction de l’appareil. L’origine de l’instabilité est un couplage entre les mouvements de roulis du fuselage posée sur le train d’atterrissage et le mouvement asymétrique de l’ensemble des pales dans le plan du rotor principal. Etudier théoriquement des alternatives de stabilisation par des absorbeurs de vibration linéaires (tuned mass dampers - TMD) et non linéaires (nonlinear energy sinks - NES) c’est le sujet de ce travail de thèse. Ces possibilités sont étudiées en ajoutant à un modèle minimal d’un hélicoptère à quatre pales identiques (rotor isotrope),précédemment étudié par l’équipe de l’ISAE, d’abord, un TMD au fuselage, puis des TMD identiques auniveau de l’articulation des pales du rotor. Ensuite, des dispositifs à raideur purement non linéaire (NES)sont considérées, d’abord, au fuselage, puis, aux pales du rotor (NES identiques). / Helicopter ground resonance (HGR) is an instability phenomenon that can occur when helicopters exhibit a spinning rotor when grounded; it can lead the structure to rapidly break apart. The phenomenon originates from a coupling between asymmetric modes of in plane blade oscillations (lead/ lag) and the roll of a grounded fuselage. The verification of alternative stabilization devices such as tuned mass dampers (TMD) and nonlinear absorbers (nonlinear energy sinks - NES) is the objective of this thesis. These possibilities are theoretically investigated by embedding a four-bladed helicopter minimal model - proposed and previously studied by the ISAE team - first, with a TMD in the fuselage, then with four identical TMDs in each blade lag hinge. Then, a NES attached to the fuselage is considered and eventually a set of four identical NES attached to the blade lag hinges of the model is proposed and analyzed.