Abstract:

In training of civil engineers an important stage is studying ways and facilities for structural behavior control under influence of wind, earthquake and various man-made vibration loadings. For a decision-making substantiation on application of control facilities, the understanding of dynamic processes is important. It requires visual representation of character of change of the most essential parameters of behavior of system in time depending on type and parameters of applied control facilities.
This paper proposes an active learning method of mathematical models which represent dynamic behavior of structures under dynamic loads. This method includes creation and testing of matematical models during classwork hours, analysis of results and carrying out practical conclusions under the teacher’s supervision.
For implementation of this method in the learning process, construction of models using created by authors Library of Structural Elements and Control Devices under Simulink environment is proposed. The Simulink toolbox allows the following: creation of mathematical model that visually reflects the real physical processes in the structure; simplicity of creating of mathematical model for inclusion of its procedure in learning process during frontal teaching classwork hours; possibility of visualization of any parameter of model functioning, possibility of quick and convenient change of parameters characterizing the model.
The learning process is based on visualization of dynamic processes with representation and measurement of structural behavior parameters and the dependences of these parameters on type and parameters of passive control facilities (dumpers, friction pendulum bearings, etc.) and their combinations.
The Simulink schemes for different types of passive control systems were created by authors and application of them for creation and testing matematical models of investigated structure is presented in the paper. The teaching process during the classwork hours of undergraduate courses with implementation of this method is presented and explained.

Keywords:

Structural dynamics, structural control, nonlinear systems, engineering education.