Design of Mems-based Stabilization for Buckling Constrained Structures

Linear buckling of plates and columns is a critical design parameter in many engineering systems. Active stabilization of buckling constrained structures promises positive tradeoffs in terms of mass and performance. An optimal design method for actively stabilizing structural instability, while guaranteeing the performance and stability of the closed loop system, is presented. This method accounts for major design criteria such as active critical load, and sensor and actuator placement. Practical tradeoffs and limitations of this approach are presented for delineating the design space and evaluating potential design applications. These methods are shown to describe the feasible region and tradeoffs for active buckling control to highlight those application areas where active stabilization has greatest promise for expanding design spaces and creating novel structural systems.