The present work describes part of the R&D on using
a semi-active structural control technique in a civ
il
engineering experimental model frame equipped with
a MR damper, developed within COVICOCEPAD
project approved in the framework of Eurocores prog
ram S3T. Some results are provided associated with
the calibration of a magneto-rheological (MR) damper
at FEUP (Faculdade de Engenharia da
Universidade do Porto) as well as on the experiment
al modal identification of the dynamic properties o
f a
small-scale metallic frame, with and without the in
clusion of a specific MR device. Some numerical
results of the controlled frame under simulated ear
thquakes are given, to be later compared with the
experimental results of such frame installed in a Q
uanser shaking table.This work is integrated in the thematic and activities of the international collaborative research project COVICOCEPAD approved by the European Science Foundation (ESF) within the Smart Structural Systems Technologies (S3T) Program. It was sponsored in Portugal until last December 2010 by FCT (Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia) project PPPCDT-05-S3T-FP054-COVICOCEPAD, fact that is herein acknowledged
