Independent modal control for nonlinear flexible structures: An experimental test rig

This paper investigates the use of independentmodalcontrol to suppress the vibration of nonlinearflexible structures. In recent years technological improvements in the mechanical field have led to high-performance systems with low weight and, as a consequence, high flexibility and low damping. Here active control quickly bettered the traditional passive damping systems. The structure investigated in this paper is a multi-body flexible boom moved by hydraulic actuators. The nonlinear system dynamic was numerically reproduced and a control strategy, based on the use of the same actuators, was developed. Finally a testrig was created to validate the proposed approach experimentally.