Passive electromagnetic damping device for motion control of building structures

The research presented in this thesis develops a new device for the passive control of motion in building structures: an electromagnetic damper. The electromagnetic damper is a self-excited device that provides a reaction force to an applied motion. We chose a tubular permanent-magnet linear machine as this new structural damper, and we derive its mathematical model using quasi-static electromagnetic theory. Computer simulations and experimental characterization of a small-scale prototype electromagnetic damper validated the mathematical model of the device. The behavior of the electromagnetic damper approximates that of an ideal damper. We conducted a feasibility study for the application of electromagnetic dampers to full-scale buildings. We used two performance measures: the damping density and the damping cost of the device. Comparing the performance of the electromagnetic damper to that of viscous fluid dampers, the maximum damping density of electromagnetic dampers is, at best, equal to that of hydraulic dampers, but with a price at least five times higher. The permanent magnet's current technology and cost are the limiting factors for the electromagnetic damper.

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Architecture.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2005

Author dc:creator

• Palomera-Arias, Rogelio, 1972-

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• John A. Ochsendorf.

• Architecture.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/33174

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/33174