Localized Vibration Isolation Strategy for Low-Frequency Excitations in Membrane Space Structures

The present study explores both structural and controller design to attenuate vibration in large membrane space structures, especially due to low-frequency harmonic excitations. It is very difficult for membrane structures to suppress the low-frequency vibration induced by flexible support structures, because a lightly prestressed membrane has extremely low mode frequencies and little damping effect. The present study proposes the use of weblike perimeter cables around a membrane, and the application of simple and lightweight active controllers only along the web cables in order to isolate the membrane from vibration. This strategy successfully reduces the membrane vibration when the web-cable configuration is appropriately tailored. Both linear and nonlinear finite-element analyses exhibit a clear tradeoff between structural mass and control efficiency.