STRUCTURAL CONTROL BY THE USE OF PIEZOELECTRIC ACTIVE MEMBERS.

The feasibility of using piezoelectric materials as dual-purpose structural elements/actuators for vibration suppression in large space structures was demonstrated. Positive position feedback (PPF) as a vibration suppression control strategy was implemented. Using the strain sensor which measures the elastic deformation for control was successfully demonstrated. Multi-mode vibration suppression was achieved with dramatic reduction in dynamic response. No destabilizing effects were observed due to either the spillover or the actuator dynamics. A better synthesis theory which provides procedures for the selection of gains for strong structure/control coupling should be developed. A true active member needs to be developed and incorporated into more complicated experiments.