Output feedback sliding mode control of base isolated structures

The paper addresses the problem of designing stabilizing output feedback controllers for a class of nonlinear seismically excited base isolated structures with unknown parametrical uncertainties. Two types (non-adaptive and adaptive) of sliding mode controllers are presented. In both schemes, only the information on the displacements and velocities of the base and the first floor is used in the controller design. A numerical example is given to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed strategy to a 10-storey frictional base isolated structure being subject to the El Centro earthquake.