Active vibration control of flexible plate structures with distributed disturbances

This paper presents the development of an active vibration control (AVC) system with distributed disturbances using genetic algorithms, particle swarm optimization, and ant colony optimization. The approaches are realized with multiple-input multiple-output and multiple-input single-output control configurations in a flexible plate structure. A simulation environment characterizing a thin, square plate, with all edges clamped, is developed using the finite difference method as a platform for test and verification of the developed control approaches. Simulations are carried out with random disturbance signal. The control design comprises a direct minimization of the error (observed) signal by allowing a collective determination of detection and secondary source locations together with controller parameters. The algorithms are formulated with a fitness function based on the mean square of the observed vibration level. In this manner, knowledge of the input/output characterization of the system is not required for design of the controller. The performance of the system is assessed and analyzed both in the time and frequency domains and it is demonstrated that significant vibration reduction is achieved with the proposed schemes.