ABSTRACT

Control devices are responsible for moving or controlling a civil structure. Control devices discussed in this chapter include not only the actuators operated by a source of energy but also the dampers operated without external energy. Control devices play a critical role in smart civil structures and allow the alternation of structural characteristics as well as the reduction of structural responses in a passive, semi-active and/or active manner. Many types of control devices, using or not using smart materials, have been developed for various applications. They can be classified as base isolation devices, passive energy dissipation devices, active control devices, semi-active control devices and hybrid control devices according to the controlled manner of a civil structure. Although base isolation devices and passive energy dissipation devices have limited intelligence as they are unable to adapt to external excitations and structural responses, they lay a foundation for developing most active, semi-active and hybrid control devices.