9301584 Spencer The objective of this project is the development of highly reliable and safe control strategies for structural protection using stability-based hybrid controls. More specifically, the research project will (1) develop a probabilistic framework for stability-based, uncertainty tolerant control design for maximizing the reliability of structures operating in their linear range; (2) develop stability-based, nonlinear, hybrid control strategies for application to systems including, but not limited to, active base isolation systems and variable parameter control device; (3) integrate the developments of (1) and (2) into a combined design strategy for both structure and controller so as to achieve the maximum overall reliability inherent in the controlled structure; and (4) conduct proof of concept tests of control strategies so that the most promising control architectures can be thoroughly evaluated and verified before being tested at national laboratories such as NCEER. By means of the reliability approach delineated in this proposal, efforts can be directed toward facets of the hybrid control problem which will yield the most reliable and cost effective solutions. The successful completion of this research is expected to enhance the possibility of economic and practical implementation of hybrid control of linear and nonlinear structures for earthquake hazard mitigation. ***
