A primer on design of semiactive vibration absorbers (SAVA)

The paper defines a full model of the fluid dynamics that characterize hydraulic semiactive vibration absorbers (SAVAs) developed for structure application. A flow model is established that indicates that SAVAs are able to both store and dissipate energy. The work demonstrates that the effect of compressibility (at the piston and at the valve) and the variation of bulk modulus with pressure can be important to the design and implementation of an SAVA system for civil structures. The paper also describes laboratory procedures used to identify model parameters. The paper then describes the performance of the SAVA when used to provide vibration mitigation for a laboratory test structure. The expected results based on the model and experimental results are compared. The work indicates that SAVA technology provides a robust, reliable, and inexpensive means of achieving structural control.