Hydraulic Semiactive Vibration Absorbers (SAVA); Separating Myth From Reality

Abstract The paper defines a casual model of the fluid dynamics that characterize a hydraulic semiactive vibration absorber (SAVA), that has been developed for application to structures. A flow model is established that indicates that SAVA are able to both store and dissipate energy, contrary to the commonly held belief that semiactive systems are strictly dissipative. The paper 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.